Woman, children escape Moline structure fire

UPDATE: A news release from the Moline Fire Department has more information on this morning’s structure fire.

The Moline Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of 7th Street and 18th Avenue on Oct. 20 at about 10:11 a.m. Multiple callers reported large flames and heavy smoke coming from the building. Fire crews received additional reports while responding that indicated that children were possibly trapped inside the structure.

The first fire unit arrived on the scene within five minutes of dispatch and found a large, two-story, mixed-use commercial building with residential apartments on the second floor. Firefighters reported heavy fire conditions at the rear of the structure, with significant smoke throughout the building.

Moline Police Department officers were already on scene and alerted crews that occupants were visible in the second-floor windows. The Fire Department began deploying the ladders while police officers assisted in rescuing three children from a second-floor window/balcony. Fire and smoke conditions threatened residents inside the building, so an adult lowered the children from the window into the waiting arms of police officers below. The coordinated efforts of the resident and responding officers helped bring the children to safety. Firefighters subsequently entered the building and successfully rescued the adult occupant through a second-floor window. All remaining occupants were able to evacuate the building on their own.

Fire suppression efforts were complicated by a significant amount of fire, which had already gained considerable headway before emergency personnel arrived. An adjoining building in close proximity gave firefighters additional challenges, requiring them to work to contain the fire and prevent its extension to neighboring structures. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about 35 minutes.

Four people, one adult and three children, were taken by ambulance for further medical evaluation and treatment. An additional six people were evaluated and treated at the scene but declined ambulance transportation. All of the building’s occupants and tenants have been displaced as a result of the fire and the American Red Cross is assisting them with immediate emergency needs. It has not been determined whether the building was equipped with functioning smoke alarms at this time.

The Rock Island Fire Department, East Moline Fire Department and Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance. MercyOne Genesis provided additional ambulance support and MidAmerican Energy secured utilities to the affected building. The Moline Police Department provided critical assistance with the rescue of the children, scene security, and traffic control.

The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation by the Moline Fire Department's Bureau of Investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Moline Fire Department at (309) 524-2250.

EARLIER UPDATE: Kris Johnson, deputy fire chief with the Moline Fire Department, spoke with Our Quad Cities News at the scene and said a woman and her three children escaped the fire after she dropped the children out of a window to first responders waiting below. Moline Fire raised a ladder to help the woman escape and they were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Moline Animal Control brought carriers to accommodate displaced pets and the Red Cross was on the scene to provide assistance.

EARLIER: Our Quad Cities News is on the scene of a structure fire in the 700 block of 18^th Avenue in Moline.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from the Bettendorf Sky Cam. There have been no official reports of injuries or damage estimates.

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