A Detroit-based fire investigator took the stand Friday to sharply criticize Rock Falls fire officials for their handling of a deadly house fire in December 2021. Testifying in a civil trial, Wendy Sanders outlined a series of missed steps and lapses in protocol she says led to the death of Sterling Fire Lieutenant Garrett Ramos. Ramos, 38, died after falling through a burning floor that fire command didn’t know sat above a basement.
Sanders stated the first arriving command officer failed to ask key safety questions and didn’t communicate vital information to crews, arguing these omissions contributed directly to the tragedy. The trial continues today.