Fire in empty corn silo puts out in 35 minutes

A two-story corn crib in the 17000 block of Luther Road burned down Friday night with no injuries, according to the Sterling Fire Department.

The property owner called 911 at 10:17 p.m. to report flames. Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department, and CGH EMS responded immediately. The incident triggered a Full Still Alarm assignment, which brought Dixon Rural Fire and Milledgeville Fire Protection District to the scene. Prophetstown Fire Protection District arrived to cover a change of quarters.

Units found smoke and flames escaping the building. The crib was empty at the time but served as a transfer leg for moving corn from a dryer to a silo. Crews launched an offensive attack and called a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Box 20.

The box alarm sent Prophetstown, Dixon City Fire, Morrison Fire, Polo Fire, Tampico Fire, and Advance EMS to the location. Amboy Fire and Chadwick Fire covered the Sterling and Rock Falls stations during the response.

The fire was extinguished at 10:52 p.m. Damage was contained to the corn crib. Fire officials cited a mechanical issue with the transfer equipment as the likely cause of ignition.

Fire Chief David Northcutt credited the property owner for the outcome, noting that his quick attention and call to 911 helped limit the damage.