Galesburg firefighters this weekend responded and battled two structure fires.
According to Fire Department Chief Randy Hovind, at around 8:44 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 11 personnel from all three stations responded to the 1000-block of Garden Lane. Upon arrival, heavy smoke and fire was showing from the single-story structure. The Brooks Street station Crew entered the home with an attack line and extinguished the fire.
A single resident and a dog were able to make it out safely, however, two felines died in the fire and were recovered by firefighters.
Preliminary damage estimates are at $30,360. Hovind says the cause of the fire has been determined to be an unattended open-flame candle in a bathroom.
The second structure fire was reported Saturday, Nov. 26, at 3:18 a.m. 11 personnel on duty from all three stations responded to the 2000-block of Grand Avenue, where the building was engulfed in flames.
All three stations were involved in extinguishing the blaze using multiple attack lines and both aerial ladders. The Galesburg Public Works Department assisted in spreading out the building materials and eliminating standing hazards.
The building was a total loss. The cause of the fire has been determined to be intentional. That fire is still under investigation by Galesburg Police and Fire Investigators.
