Fire in Western Illinois University residence hall causes $20,000 in fire, smoke and water damage

MACOMB, Ill. — A Wednesday night fire in a residence hall on the Western Illinois University campus caused approximately $20,000 in fire, smoke and water damage, according to an investigation by the Macomb Fire Department and the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS).

The Macomb Fire Department was dispatched at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, to a water flow alarm at Grote Hall, 720 W. Adams. While firefighters were en route, the WIU Office of Public Safety reported smoke and flames were visible in room 410. The first arriving units arrived on the scene at 9:01 p.m. and began high-rise standpipe operations. 

Fire command made contact with OPS, which had discharged two fire extinguishers on the fire. The interior firefighting crew stretched a hose line to the fire room and finished extinguishing the fire. The fire was contained to a waste basket in the room. The fire activated a sprinkler within the closet of the room and kept the fire from spreading. 

Multiple rooms sustained smoke and water damage, and at least two residents were displaced. Four on-duty firefighters responded to the call, and nine additional firefighters responded to a crew callback. Emmet-Chalmers and Good Hope Fire Departments responded to the scene and assisted with primary searches of the building. 

The fire was deemed under control at 9:12 p.m. All units cleared at 11:21 p.m. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for observation and was treated and released.

A smoke alarm was present in the room. However, it did not sound because the device was obstructed by the resident. Once the sprinkler system activated, the water flow alarm notified OPS of the fire.

The fire was deemed unintentional due to improper disposal of ignited materials.

The Macomb-McDonough County Communications Center, Macomb Police Department, WIU support staff, Lifeguard Ambulance Service of Illinois and the City of Macomb Public Works assisted with the fire.

“I would like to thank the two OPS officers who acted quickly in their application of the fire extinguishers, which helped suppress the fire,” Fire Chief Dan Meyer said in a press release. “They then assisted with helping make sure all residents were evacuated and relocated to a warm location. Their swift response not only minimized fire damage but also ensured the safety and well-being of all residents.”