05/06/2026
RE: Press Release
For Immediate Release
On Tuesday May 5th, at 2:01 PM, Kewanee Fire Department was dispatched for a report of a fire at Cernovich’s Auto & Truck Wrecking, located at 616 East 6th Street in Kewanee.
Crews arrived on scene to find a very large fire inside the scrapyard, extending into nearby scrapped vehicles as well as the building and office area.
While an investigation is being completed, the fire is being considered accidental, with major complications due to stored liquid fuel tanks that failed and released their contents, resulting in extreme flame production and enormous plumes of heavy black smoke further complicating extinguishing efforts. Smoke sightings were reported from as far away as Galesburg, Mendota and Peoria. Operations caused parts of 5th Street, 6th Street, North Grace Avenue and US Route 34 to be shut down.
Mutual aid requests were asked for and answered by numerous surrounding communities, including: Kewanee Community Fire Protection District, Annawan/Alba Fire Protection District, Annawan/Alba Ambulance, Atkinson Ambulance, Geneseo Fire, Galva Fire , LaFayette Fire, Toulon Fire, Wyoming Fire, Henry County Office of Emergency Management, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Kewanee Police Department, Ameren Illinois and Kewanee Public Works Department.
A total of 19 fire units responded to the incident along with 79 personnel and 2 drones. Fire personnel were on scene for a total of 8 hours.
The building and office area are considered a total loss and no injuries to fire personnel or bystanders were reported.
The Kewanee Fire Department would like to thank all the personnel responding to help with operations and a special thank you to Cernovich’s employees that assisted with heavy equipment to move obstacles from the areas of operation.
Thank You,
Kewanee Fire Department
Fire Chief
Stephen Welgat
