Trending Topics

15 FDs battle burning scrap piles at Ill. recycling plant

An estimated 2 million gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire in Sterling

By Charlene Bielema
Daily Gazette

STERLING, Ill. — Firefighters from more than a dozen departments fought a large fire that broke out Monday morning outside Cimco Recycling’s Galt Road location.

The Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department and CGH EMS were called at 7:46 a.m. to Cimco, where they found two scrap piles burning, according to a news release issued by the city of Sterling. In total, 15 different departments were on scene until just before 5 p.m., when the fire was extinguished.


Getting water to the fire is critical; here are steps to take, and avoid, to properly feed your pumper

Due to the holiday weekend, several mutual aid departments passed on the three Mutual Aid Box Alarm System requests, which brought departments from as far as Clinton, Iowa, and Manlius . Those two departments handled other calls in the Sterling and Rock Falls areas while the Cimco fire was being battled by other departments.

Both aerials from Sterling and Rock Falls were set up for aerial operations and an estimated 2 million gallons of water were used to extinguish the material. There were no injuries to any employees or responders.


Simple steps to maintain composure when the scene is anything but routine

Due to the smoke plume, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will be monitoring air quality and will follow up with a report through the EPA, according to the release.

(c)2024 the Daily Gazette (Sterling, Ill.)
Visit the Daily Gazette (Sterling, Ill.) at www.saukvalley.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
Find answers to all your questions surrounding this five-day online shopping bonanza
These events provide first responders with a unique opportunity to connect with their communities, promote safety and foster goodwill beyond emergency response
Through stories of resilience and loss, the film calls for agencies to prioritize the mental wellbeing of first responders
In the fire department’s fleet, 63% of the engines, 33% of the trucks and 20% of the tower ladders have been in use longer than their 15-year recommended lifespan