The Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requested ATF’s National Response Team join the investigation into a fire that occurred the morning of Friday, July 7th, that claimed the life of one resident. Two others sustained non-life threating injuries in the three-story mixed-use building on the 400 block of 3rd Street.
NRT members arrived in Sterling Monday, July 10th, afternoon to assist the Sterling Fire Department, Sterling Police Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshal in the investigation to determine the cause and origin of the blaze. The NRT consists of a team of Special Agents, Certified Fire Investigators, Fire Protection Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Forensic Chemists, Certified Explosives Specialists, an Intelligence Research Specialist, a Medic and an Accelerant Detection Canine with handler.
“The NRT is here to provide specialized resources to help determine the origin and cause of this fire,” said Christopher Forkner, ATF NRT Supervisor. “ATF is a force multiplier for our state and local law enforcement partners to assist them in their fire investigative duties working alongside our field division experts and employing state of the art technology.”
“Our sincere condolences go out to the community of Sterling,” said Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “ATF’s Chicago Field Division is committed to assisting our partners in determining the cause and origin of this tragedy.”
Scott Shumard, Sterling City Manager said, “When the ATF offered their specialized fire investigative services to the City to assist in the investigation, we immediately extended an invite to them in order to provide the best possible investigation into the cause of this tragic fire.”
Due to the ongoing investigation, E. 3rd Street (Route 2) will likely remain closed for several days from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue to avoid traffic disruptions and prevent large trucks from being trapped on E. 3rd due to restricted turning options between 1st Ave and 4th Ave. Local traffic can still access E. 3rd Street businesses on the north-south Avenues from 2nd Street. Truck traffic must access Route 2 via Route 40 and Lynn Boulevard.
