A fire at the vacant Quick Oil Change in Galesburg caused significant damage to the building. The Galesburg Fire Department responded to the fire at 1277 N. Henderson Street around 9 AM on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Eleven on-duty personnel from all three fire stations responded to the fire. The Fremont Street crew arrived to find smoke coming from the rear of the business and started attacking the fire at the rear of the structure. The Central Station crew established a water supply at the nearest hydrant and made entry at the front of the structure. The Brooks Street crew worked with the Central Station crew inside the structure and pulled down ceilings to extinguish the fire. Battalion Chief Brackett observed fire through the roof of the structure and ordered an evacuation of fire personnel from the building because of structural integrity concerns about the exterior walls. All firefighters exited the structure and were accounted for outside. The Central Station crew used the tower ladder of Ladder 51 to attack the fire from above while other fire crews prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. The fire caused extensive damage to the roof of the building and preliminary damage is estimated at $71,000. No injuries were reported.
Off-duty personnel were initiated to provide emergency coverage for the city. Galesburg Fire investigators are investigating the cause of the fire, which is currently undetermined.
