A firefighter is being treated for smoke inhalation following a fire that left extensive damage to a downtown Kewanee building Thursday.
Firefighters responded to a structure fire call at around 3:30 p.m. for a building at 224. W. Second St., part of a city block that includes Peoples National Bank and popular restaurant Cerno’s.
As of 5 p.m., the fire had yet to be distinguished and Ameren had been called in to turn off gas lines. Police blocked streets and kept onlookers back as smoke billowed throughout downtown Kewanee.
The fire department started beating back the fire from the rear of the building, with a fire truck lift positioned at the front of the building to spray over the top. Before long, flames leapt out the top of the building, which was nearly fully engulfed.