Fire destroyed a building Thursdayin downtown Rochelle which is used as an auto repair shop.
The blaze was noticed a short time after 11:30 at 510 West 2nd Avenue at Washignton Street.
The 1st person on the scene was police Sergeant Jason Bergeron. He said that a wood burning stove was on fire and that the flames were already in the attic area.
Bergeron said that smoke was already coming out the east and west sides of the building as it started in the middle of the structure where the stove was located.
Fire Lieutenant Jason Underwood said that they found an open garage door at the building when the 1st truck arrived on the scene. They went into a defensive mode once the roof caved in as the fire was throughout the entire building.
Much of the flames were put out by ladder trucks from the Rochelle and DeKalb Fire Departments. Several area departments responded to the scene to battle the blaze.
Underwood said that the flames spread very quickly through the building. He said it got out of control once the fire got into the attic area.
The 2 railroads in Rochelle stopped trains from traveling through the downtown area for a period of time yesterday. The building is located between the 2 tracks. Black smoke was seen for several miles.
Underwood said that the inside portion of the building was a total loss. There was only 1 car inside the structure.
Cost damage is estimated to be in the 6 figure range. The building is owned by a bank in DeKalb.
