Share and Follow
LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — Multiple fire departments from Logan County responded to a structure fire at a trucking business in Lincoln on Wednesday.
The fire happened at Lincoln Transload and Processing on 5th Street. Officials from the Lincoln Fire Protection District said on Facebook that the first units to arrive found smoke coming from the top of the business’s tower and “significant” smoke inside the building on the ground and basement levels.
Fire from the basement had traveled through exhaust and transfer ducts to the upper levels of the building, officials said.
Once they arrived, firefighters activated a first alarm to bring firefighters from Elkhart and Middletown to the scene. Firefighters from Sherman were also called to cover Lincoln Rural’s station while they were at the scene of the fire.
“Due to the extensive amount of duct work leading from the basement, a significant amount of time was spent ensuring all remaining fire and hot spots were extinguished,” Lincoln Rural officials said.
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.