ALTON — A contractor cutting a transformer with a torch ignited residual oil inside an otherwise empty warehouse at 5 Cut St. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, prompting a fire response that required approximately 4,000 gallons of water and mutual aid from East Alton.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Alton Fire Department units were dispatched at 3:52 p.m. Wednesday to a reported commercial structure fire. Arriving crews found a stand-alone transformer fully engulfed in flames inside the warehouse, according to the department’s incident report.
Crews from Engines 1811 and 1813 deployed 2½-inch hose lines and used water from their onboard tanks to attack the fire. Each engine expended four tanks of water to control and extinguish the blaze.
After the tanks were depleted, Unit 1830 established a shuttle operation to maintain the water supply and refill both engines.
Because of water demand and operational needs, Unit 1802 requested mutual aid from East Alton Fire Department. East Alton’s Unit 4311 joined the suppression operation, adding another pumper and tank water to the rotation.
Battalion Chief Richardson served as incident commander. Alton Police also responded.
