'Suspicious' fire puts fear into Moline firefighters

By Barb Ickes | Thursday, August 10, 2006

Moline firefighters “scrambled into” a burning building early Tuesday, fearing the structure contained apartments with people sleeping inside, officials said.

As it turned out, the building at 4501 Avenue of the Cities was not occupied and contains only businesses.

Most of the nine commercial units sustained some smoke or water damage that was estimated at $100,000.

“It (the fire) is suspicious,” police Lt. Jerome Patrick said. “I can tell you that much.”

He said police and fire officials likely will release more details today.

Fire investigators were saying very little about the fire Tuesday, including its possible cause.

It started in one of the businesses on the building’s second floor, officials said, but they declined to elaborate.

“I can’t say too much at this time,” fire Capt. Dave Schrock said. “We’re still investigating it.”

He said firefighters initially were concerned that the upper level of the building contained apartments and began battling the blaze with that fear in mind.

“It scared the hell out of us,” he said. “The fire was already in the roof.”

It was reported shortly before 5 a.m. and was extinguished within an hour, officials said.

The building contained two hair salons, a title loan company and several other small businesses.

Several commercial tenants went to the building Tuesday to collect their belongings and salvage what they could. At least one business was unaffected by the fire.

Barb Ickes can be contacted at (563) 383-2316 or bickes@qctimes.com.