Crime & Safety
Moline, IL Fire Today: 3 Children Rescued, 10 People Treated
Moline, IL – Three children were rescued from the second floor of a burning building in Moline on Tuesday morning as flames and heavy smoke engulfed a two story structure, sending four people for medi
By Blake Harrison · 2026-10-20T20:52:44.864Z
Moline, IL – Three children were rescued from the second floor of a burning building in Moline on Tuesday morning as flames and heavy smoke engulfed a two story structure, sending four people for medical treatment and displacing all occupants.
According to the Moline Fire Department , crews were dispatched at approximately 10:11 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, to a reported structure fire near 7th Street and 18th Avenue after multiple callers reported large flames and heavy smoke.
While firefighters were responding, additional reports indicated children might be trapped inside.
The first fire unit arrived within five minutes and encountered heavy fire at the rear of a mixed use building containing commercial space and second floor apartments.
Moline police officers already at the scene helped rescue three children from a second floor window or balcony.
An adult inside the building lowered the children through a window into the waiting arms of officers positioned below.
Firefighters subsequently entered the building and rescued the adult through a second floor window.
Other occupants escaped without assistance.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 35 minutes despite significant flames and concerns about neighboring structures.
Four people, including the three children and one adult, were transported by ambulance for further evaluation and treatment.
Six additional individuals were evaluated and treated at the scene but declined ambulance transportation.
All building occupants and tenants have been displaced, with the American Red Cross assisting those affected.
Multiple neighboring fire departments provided mutual aid, while MidAmerican Energy secured utilities.
Officials said it remains unknown whether the building had functioning smoke alarms.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.