At approximately 3:15p.m. on Sunday, January 19th, Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department, and CGH EMS were dispatched to 5500 Mill Street in Sterling for a reported structure fire with flames and smoke visible.
Mutual aid from surrounding departments was requested while units were enroute, as well as a 2nd Alarm requested later; bringing a total of sixteen departments to the scene. Sterling Fire units arrived on scene within ten minutes and found heavy smoke and fire conditions throughout the first floor of the structure.
Crews made multiple attempts to search the interior of the structure, but were forced to evacuate due to heavy fire conditions and a partial collapse of the ceiling on the first floor. Crews then proceeded to extinguish the fire from the exterior of the building.
The fire is being investigated by the Sterling Fire Department, Office of the State Fire Marshall and Whiteside County Sheriff Office.