Sterling home declared a total loss after Thursday night fire

STERLING – A fire Thursday night destroyed a house in Sterling and led to the death of a family dog.

Sterling and Rock Falls firefighters, CGH EMS and Sterling police were dispatched at 9:38 p.m. Thursday to 1305 Griswold Ave., Sterling, for a reported structure fire. Milledgeville and Dixon Rural firefighters also were dispatched.

According to a news release, the firefighters who first arrived at the scene found heavy fire coming from the front of a single-story residential home.

The fire was brought under control within the first 11 minutes of firefighters being at the scene, but due to the damage, an overhaul was needed to ensure no hot spots remained, according to the release.

The family who lives at the home was not there when the fire broke out, but they arrived home early into the incident, according to the release.

A dog died as a result of the fire. No first responders were injured. The home and its contents were declared a total loss, according to the release.

Also assisting at the scene were Sterling Code Enforcement, ComEd, Nicor Gas, 1800-Boardup, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the American Red Cross.