An investigation continues into what caused a five-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Genoa City Sunday morning.
Genoa City Police Chief Joseph Balog says his department got word around 8:55 a.m. of the fire at 751 Walworth Street. When officers arrived they worked with another resident to warn others inside the complex about the fire and assisted with evacuations.
“There are minor injuries to the gentleman in the apartment where the fire started in,” says Balog. “There was one firefighter who was taken as a precautionary measure to Northern Illinois Medical Center as he apparently fell through the second floor onto the first floor while trying to put the fire out.”
Bloomfield-Genoa City Fire Department Captain Jeremy Tamillo says they needed crews from 19 other fire departments to assist. “We did go to the fifth-alarm for that fire strictly for man power and extra equipment,” says Tamillo.
Tamillo adds there were several explosions heard when they arrived at the scene, due to at least a half-dozen oxygen tanks. “The resident did say he had oxygen tanks inside of his apartment,” says Tamillo.
Investigators say the building is uninhabitable at this time, with an investigation continuing to determine if it is a total loss. A cause is under investigation, with it likely being accidental.
The Red Cross is assisting those displaced with their needs. The public is also able to provide items to those displaced with donations being accepted at the following locations: