The City of Sterling announced today that the Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department, CGH EMS and Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a reported barn fire at 17264 Ridge Road at approximately 821 am Sunday. Upon dispatch, a Full Still Alarm was activated, which sent Dixon Rural Fire and Milledgeville Fire to the scene also.
While enroute, a MABAS Box 20 to the Box Alarm was asked for. Upon arrival, the crews found a two-story barn heavily involved, with several exposures. A 2nd Alarm was asked for at this time. The crews made an aggressive exterior attack on the main fire building, with the exposures being attended to as additional crews arrived.
Due to the high winds, travel distance for the water shuttles and cold weather, a 3rd Alarm was asked for. In all, Sterling Fire was assisted by the following, in addition to the initial responding agencies: Dixon City Fire, Prophetstown FPD, Polo Fire, Morrison Fire, Tampico Fire, Advance Ambulance, Chadwick Fire, Amboy Fire, Morrison EMS, Franklin Grove Fire, Erie Fire, Manlius Fire, Lanark Fire and Fulton Fire. Some departments assisted with station coverage, although some were moved up to the scene.
Major damage was sustained to the main fire building, with minor damages to one of the exposure buildings. The aggressive actions of the initial crews helped keep the fire from extending further. OSFM was also called due to the damage and will investigate Monday morning.
The owners stated there were a loss of chickens, but all cattle were out of danger. Crews had the fire under control in approximately 25 minutes and were on scene for a total of 2.5 hours. For further information or questions, please contact the Sterling Fire Department.
