Two State Police Troopers suffer minor injuries after pulling driver from fiery crash in East Peoria

Two Illinois State Police Troopers suffered minor injuries early Saturday morning while rescuing a driver from a fiery crash on Cedar Street in East Peoria. Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie Marmitt says the vehicle was heading east on Cedar Street when it drove through the construction zone where there was no pavement, and hit the guardrail. The East Peoria Fire Department quickly put out the fire. “Both troopers, whose names have not been disclosed at this time, exhibited exceptional bravery in the face of danger, risking their own safety to save another. Despite sustaining minor injuries during the rescue, their selfless actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially fatal outcome,” said Marmitt in a press release. The driver, who was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash, was taken to the hospital for treatment. Their condition is unknown.
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Central Illinois fire stations part of $4 million grant

Multiple central Illinois fire stations are recipients for the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program, according to an Illinois State Fire Marshal news release. In total, 165 fire departments/districts and EMS providers were granted up to $26,000 for small firefighting and ambulance equipment. We continue to see and hear about the need and understand the issues fire departments face when it comes to funding across the state. I am proud this year we were able to increase our grant funding to $4 million, a $2.5 million increase from last year, which has allowed us to award over 100 more departments money to purchase lifesaving tools they might not have been able to afford otherwise." said Illinois State Fire Marshall James A. Rivera.
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria

Firefighter Hurt Battling Aurora Blaze

A firefighter was treated for a minor injury after responding to a fire in the 900 block of Deerpath Road on Wednesday, Aurora fire officials said. Fire crews responded to a 911 call that came in from a resident around 5:30 p.m., reporting a fire in a bedroom of the home. All occupants were already out of the home, according an Aurora Fire Department news release. The initial response was upgraded to a second alarm after fire crews saw a large amount of smoke upon arriving at the home. Due to a locked gate, firefighters deployed an attack line through the front door of the home. Crews from Truck Company 11 cut the lock, allowing another unit to deploy a second attack line to the rear and begin extinguishing flames that were extending up the vinyl siding, into the second floor and to the eaves of the roof.
Aurora Patch

Two injured after car drives through a travel agency in Peoria

Two were taken to the hospital after a Lexus SUV drove through a travel agency in a strip mall near University Street and Clarewood Avenue. According to the Peoria Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched to Direct Travel at approximately 1:47 p.m. and saw a vehicle in the building with an employee trapped inside. Crews worked to get the driver out of the vehicle and then worked to remove an employee who was stuck between the vehicle and a structural supporting wall. The employee had minor injuries. Both the driver and the employee were taken to the hospital. The property owner, Molly Gilles, said a company would be coming to safely clean the area and board up broken doors and windows. It is unknown when the business will reopen. City of Peoria Code Enforcement was also called to the scene to determine the structural damage to the building.
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria

Normal Fire Department: 1 employee treated for minor smoke inhalation after fire at Rivian plant

1 person was treated for smoke inhalation but declined transport to the hospital after a fire at the Rivian plant in Normal. The Normal Fire Department says firefighters were already at the plant for an unrelated incident when the fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The fire was quickly extinguished with fire extinguishers. Employees were evacuated but have since been allowed back in. The fire started under a section of the conveyor that moves the vehicle chassis down the assembly line on the western side of the building. The exact cause is unknown. The department says the fire did not involve a vehicle or battery components. Damage was contained to the area where the fire began. It took an extended amount of time to ventilate the smoke from the building due to the plant’s size.
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