The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Fire Marshall Rules Arson

On Wednesday night in Oquawka at 10:52 p.m. the Henderson County Sheriff's Department received an emergency 911 call of a mobile home structure at 6th and Putnam St. on fire.

It was reported it was fully involved with people trapped in the structure.

The Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department quickly responded in 6 minutes with 18 fire fighters, 4 fire trucks, a squad and an ambulance and were assisted by Henderson County Deputies.

Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department quickly responded with 10 fire fighters and 3 tanker trucks to assist Oquawka.

No one was found in the mobile home. There were no casualties or injuries.

Oquawka fire fighters were on the scene for 2 1/2 hours.

Monday night at the Oquawka Village board meeting the village board voted o tear down the structure.

The mobile home has been vacated for over 2 years. If you have any information on the person/s who are responsible for this fire please call the Henderson County Sheriff's Department at 1-309-867-4291 of Crime Stoppers at 877-867-6202.

The fire is under investigation according to Fire Chief Hal Jern.

Fire Chief Hal Jern said the Oquawka Fire Dept. and Gladstone Fire Dept. have been extra busy with 3 fires last week. Above, the arson fire of an abandoned trailer Wednesday night, a cabin fire north of Delabar State Park from a wood burner Thursday night, and a fire at McBride Auto Sales Monday night. The cabin and McBride's were saved