LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — Multiple fire departments from Logan County responded to a structure fire at a trucking business in Lincoln on Wednesday.
The fire occurred at Lincoln Transload and Processing on 5th Street. Officials from the Lincoln Fire Protection District reported on Facebook that the first units on the scene detected smoke emanating from the top of the business’s tower, along with “significant” smoke inside the ground and basement levels of the building.
Fire from the basement had traveled through exhaust and transfer ducts to the upper levels of the building, officials said.
Upon their arrival, firefighters initiated a first alarm, summoning firefighters from Elkhart and Middletown to assist at the location. Firefighters from Sherman were also requested to cover Lincoln Rural’s station while they were managing the scene of the fire.
“Due to the extensive amount of ductwork leading from the basement, a significant amount of time was spent ensuring all remaining fire and hot spots were extinguished,” stated Lincoln Rural officials.
The Springfield Fire Department was also requested to assist. Due to the size of the building and the amount of smoke inside, Springfield’s mobile ventilation unit, a “very large fan truck,” was brought to the scene.
Officials said all facility staff evacuated and were not hurt, but one firefighter experienced heat exhaustion and needed to go to Lincoln Hospital.
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all assisting agencies who spent over 6 hours in the heat to get the fire extinguished,” officials added.
