The Galesburg Fire Department rescues family cats from a house fire in the 800 block of North Cherry Street, one cat died despite the Brooks Street Station crews attempt to resuscitate the cat. The Galesburg Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 800 block of North Cherry Street on February 19, 2023, around 11:49 PM. All three stations responded which included 11 personnel on duty at the time. Fire Crews arrived to find the covered porch was engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading into the home. Battalion Chief Derek Perry established command and the Central Station Crew initially made an attack on the exterior of the structure before entering the house with an attack line to extinguish the fire. The Fremont Street Station crew searched the house, which was filled with smoke, and located the family cats. The family was reunited with their cats. The four occupants in the residence were awaken by smoke detectors and escaped the fire safely prior to Fire Department arrival. No injuries were reported.
Off-Duty personnel was called in to provide emergency coverage for the City. Preliminary damage estimates are at $50,000. The exterior of the house, the dining room and kitchen sustained heavy fire damage. The interior of the home sustained minor smoke damage. Galesburg Fire Investigators determined the fire to be intentional. The investigation is still ongoing
