Pets dead after late night Sterling apartment fire

Two pets died in a late night fire in a multi-unit apartment building, according to a news release from the Sterling Fire Department.

A 911 call that came in at about 11:12 p.m. reported a fire in a multi-story/multi-unit apartment building in the 500 block of Fifth Avenue. The Sterling Fire Department responded, with automatic aid from Rock Falls Fire Department, CGH EMS and the Sterling Police Department. A Full Still response from the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District and the Milledgeville Fire Protection District was dispatched after the automatic aid dispatch.

First responders arriving at the address reported flames from the side of the home and called for a MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) Box 10 to the Box Alarm level. They found a woman coming from the fire apartment and helped her to EMS for care on scene. Sterling Police said there were other occupants in the building and firefighters began a search, as well as the fire attack.

The Alarm was upgraded to a Second Alarm due to the number of possible victims. Seven other fire departments responded for assistance. CGH EMS treated three occupants on scene, but none were transported. The fire was under control within 27 minutes. Two pets died from smoke inhalation.

ComEd, NICOR, Salvation Army and 1-800-Board Up were called to assist at the scene, as was the State Fire Marshall and Sterling Code Enforcement.

The fire is not deemed suspicious but is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall and Sterling Fire Department. The building sustained significant fire and smoke damage.

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