Emergency demolition is underway on a Downtown Galesburg building destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 175 N. Cherry Street at 3:18 a.m. Thursday. The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty.
Upon arrival, personnel encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the southeast roof of the vacant two-story commercial building. Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind said freezing temperatures and heavy winds added an additional challenge to gaining control of the fire and stopping it from spreading to Smokin’ Willies BBQ located directly to the south.
Fire crews were unable to gain access to the structure due to structural instability and advanced heavy fire conditions, and the fire was extinguished from the exterior.
There were no injuries reported.
The addresses for these buildings are 175, 177, 179, 181 and 193 N. Cherry St. The main floor had commercial uses and the upper story had at least four apartments at one time. The vacant building was the former site of businesses such as Tucker’s Printing and Ray’s Hobby Shop.
Preliminary damages are estimated at approximately $50,000. The structure is a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Galesburg Fire and Police Investigators.
Steve Gugliotta, director of Community Development, said the Emergency Demolition ordinance was utilized to expedite demolition of the unstable structure.
Gugliotta tells WGIL, “The fire this morning was in the southernmost building. Due to partial collapse and debris it was difficult to reach the fire in the southeast corner. The fire department kept water flowing to keep it under control, but the frigid temperatures were quickly freezing the water adding more weight onto an unstable structure and the strong winds also caused safety concerns due to the close proximity of the adjacent building to the south.
“Due to the significant damage sustained by two major fires in the last four years the safest approach is complete demolition.”
In November 2020, the northernmost building, 193 N. Cherry St., had a structure fire. A portion of the roof collapsed during that fire and estimated damages were $100,000. The exterior walls of the building were secured at that time.
Gugliotta said the buildings have been vacant for approximately four years with no maintenance being done by the listed owners. During those years the condition of the property deteriorated to the point where the city began the process to seek an Order for Demolition.
“That process was complicated along the way due to additional parties being included, such as tax buyers, as well as some of the owners listed on the deed had passed away,” he said.
The demolition case is still active in Knox County Circuit Court.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Smokin’ Willies said its building did not sustain any damage, and it would reopen for business after being closed Thursday.
