Nineteen area fire departments responded Tuesday afternoon to a fire at Cernovich Auto and Truck Wrecking, 616 E. Sixth St.
The fire created smoke that could be seen from as far away as Galesburg, Mendota and Peoria.
Fire Chief Stephen Welgat, in a news release Wednesday, said the Kewanee Fire Department was dispatched at 2:01 p.m. Tuesday to the fire.
“Crews arrived on scene to find a very large fire inside the scrapyard, extending into nearby scrapped vehicles as well as the building and office area,” the news release said.
“While an investigation is being completed, the fire is being considered accidental, with major complications due to stored liquid fuel tanks that failed and released their contents, resulting in extreme flame production and enormous plumes of heavy black smoke further complicating extinguishing efforts,” the release said. Operations caused parts of Fifth and Sixth streets, North Grace Avenue and US Route 34 to be shut down.
Mutual aid requests were asked for and answered by numerous surrounding communities, including Kewanee Community Fire Protection District, Annawan/Alba Fire Protection District, Annawan/Alba Ambulance, Atkinson Ambulance, Geneseo Fire, Galva Fire , LaFayette Fire, Toulon Fire, Wyoming Fire, Henry County Office of Emergency Management, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Kewanee Police Department, Ameren Illinois and Kewanee Public Works Department.
Welgat said fire trucks connected with three fire hydrants to fight the fire. Unfortunately, he said, all three hydrants are connected to the same water main, which limited the flow of water somewhat.
Seventy-nine personnel and two drones were involved in the fight against the fire, Welgat reported. Fire personnel were on scene for eight hours.
“The building and office area are considered a total loss and no injuries to fire personnel or bystanders were reported,” the release said.
“The Kewanee Fire Department would like to thank all the personnel responding to help with operations and a special thank you to Cernovich’s employees that assisted with heavy equipment to move obstacles from the areas of operation,” Welgat wrote.
After the fire, Mayor Gary Moore posted on Facebook:
“As many of you already know a fire broke out at Cernovich’s Salvage Yard this afternoon. I don’t know of anyone in this town that does not know or like Kim and Rhonda. They would give the shirt off their back to help anyone. Please say a few prayers for them while they get their business put back together after this major fire at their salvage yard today.
“We thank God no one was injured and their dog is also fine. A huge thank you to the Kewanee Fire Department, Kewanee Rural Fire Department,Kewanee Police Department, Annawan/ Alba Fire Department, Cambridge Fire Department,Galva Fire Department, Toulon Fire Department, Wyoming Fire Department,Lafayette Fire, Geneseo Fire Department, Henry/Stark OEM, all of the EMS, Atkinson Fire Department and EMS, Ameren and the other EMS from the surrounding areas, and Henry County Sheriff’s Department that came to help our community fight today’s blaze.
“At times like these you are thankful for all the surrounding communities that come together! If I have missed anyone please accept my apologies it was not intentional. Thank you very much.”
