DeKalb Fire Department

Fewer people called 911 seeking help from the DeKalb Fire Department in 2024 compared to 2023, according to data released this week.

In case you missed it: The city of DeKalb‘s fourth fire station, 1130 S. Malta Road, is officially in service. Take a look inside the new space.

The community is invited to help celebrate the opening of the City of DeKalb’s fourth fire station on Saturday. A grand opening will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at DeKalb’s Fire Station No. 4 at 1130 S. Malta Road.

A DeKalb family of five was displaced Thursday after a kitchen fire in their home, authorities said.

Machinery inside an industrial building in downtown DeKalb caught fire Tuesday night, and the cause remains under investigation, authorities said Wednesday.

More than 30 Genoa-Kingston High School students and two staff members were treated for nausea and dizziness by fire responders Tuesday, but authorities said Wednesday they aren’t sure of the cause.

After a fire tore through DeKalb apartment buildings days before Christmas, displacing 32 families, city and local officials said about half of those impacted are still looking for new homes.

A DeKalb County service agency is calling on local landlords to offer affordable permanent housing for dozens of DeKalb residents displaced in a major apartment fire this week. Staff with Family Service Agency called the search for housing options "a critical challenge."

All of the estimated 60 victims of a DeKalb apartment fire this week have been provided temporary housing, said a local agency in a Christmas Day update.

Update: An estimated 60 DeKalb residents were displaced Sunday night after a raging fire broke out at their apartment complex, leaving them without permanent housing days before Christmas. The City of DeKalb has condemned 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive.

The heavily-charred remains of 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive sat roped off to residents and passersby Monday morning after the City of DeKalb condemned the building due to significant smoke, water and fire damage. A major apartment fire at the three-building residential complex displaced an estimated 60 residents days before Christmas, authorities said.

Multiple DeKalb residents evacuated their apartments in the 1000 block of West Hillcrest Drive Sunday night as crews responded to a multi-building apartment fire. Authorities said they expect to remain on the scene for hours Sunday to fight the blaze and provide emergency aid to impacted families.

One employee suffered an injury in an industrial fire at a DeKalb Nehring Electrical Works building Sunday, authorities said.

Plans for the city of DeKalb’s new $4 million fire station continue to move along at the north end of the Schnucks subdivision at 1130 S. Malta Road. The station is projected to open in April.

The DeKalb and Sycamore fire departments recently announced the 2024 Red Wreath Program, which encourages safe practices for holiday lights for area residents at home.

The annual charity basketball game, featuring DeKalb School District 428 employees and DeKalb County first responders, returned Monday to a packed Huntley Middle School gymnasium

As a firefighter, Adam Miller said he has long felt that supporting causes like the Muscular Dystrophy Association meant a great deal to him. Miller and his fellow DeKalb firefighters served a crowded Fatty's Pub and Grille Wednesday to help raise money for a good cause.

The annual event makes its return Dec. 2 to Huntley Middle School gymnasium, where DeKalb police officers and firefighters will face off against DeKalb School District 428 faculty and staff in charity basketball game. Benefits will support the DeKalb County Marines toy drive.

DeKalb firefighters gathered at a packed Fatty's Pub and Grille in DeKalb on Wednesday for the annual Tip A Firefighter event, which raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

On Wednesday night, firefighters from the DeKalb Fire Fighters Local 1236 will take over Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, as special servers. Tips collected with benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. All are welcome.

Work is ongoing at the site of DeKalb's fourth fire station Wednesday at 1130 South Malta Road in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Fire Department commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 Wednesday. The Patriot Day ceremony paid tribute to the lives lost in the terrorist attacks. The event included brief remarks, a presentation of colors and a flag raising.

The DeKalb Fire Department will hold a Patriots Day Ceremony Wednesday to honor the memories and sacrifices of those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks 23 years ago. All are welcome.

DeKalb residents still reeling from the loss of their homes during a Husky Ridge Apartments fire this week got some help from volunteers and area agencies Friday during an emergency relief event that provided donated supplies.

Dozens of DeKalb residents were temporarily displaced Wednesday night as crews worked to battle a fire that broke out in a three-story apartment complex on Kimberly Drive on the city’s north side.

Multiple DeKalb County agencies responded to a fire at an apartment building on Kimberly Drive in DeKalb Wednesday night. The fire displaced dozens, authorities with the DeKalb Fire Department said, though no injuries were reported.

The city of DeKalb and its fire department broke ground Friday on a fourth fire station, bringing emergency responders closer to an end of town that will see lots of growth in the years to come, city officials said.

More people in 2023 called 911 for the DeKalb Fire Department than ever before, according to data released this week that shows another record of calls for service amid rumblings of a new fire station.

The city of DeKalb has proposed a $3.6 million contract with local developer Irving Construction to build a fourth fire station on South Malta Road, documents show. A vote is expected at Monday's City Council meeting.

DeKalb firefighters were called to an electrical fire inside a Northern Illinois University building shortly before midnight Wednesday at Wirtz Hall, authorities said.

DeKalb firefighters responded to an electrical fire in the basement of a Northern Illinois University dormitory on Friday, authorities said.

A DeKalb resident suffered serious injuries Friday after the car they were driving collided head-on with a tree in DeKalb Township, authorities said.

Update: About 50% of the building that once housed Illini Tire Co. in DeKalb suffered severe damage from a late Tuesday night fire, authorities said Wednesday.

DeKalb County Crime Stoppers are seeking information for an ongoing police investigation after a fire reported at Suburban Apartments in unincorporated DeKalb, authorities said Friday.

DeKalb city leaders recently approved a development plan for a new fire station on South Malta Road, meant to help address emergency response times for south side residents.

Update: A Saturday fire at a DeKalb Wendy’s fast food restaurant caused an estimated $40,000 worth of damage and left the building temporarily uninhabitable, city officials said.

Fire Chief Mike Thomas said the need for a fourth fire station is evident and would allow for first responders to get to emergencies more quickly than they can right now. The plans next head to the DeKalb City Council for consideration, expected Feb. 12.

A garage fire in DeKalb Monday caused about $5,000 in damages, though authorities said they believe the incident was an accident.

The new three-year agreement, as authorized, provides for a number of changes, including an increase in the residency diameter, minimum station staffing and wages.

DeKalb police and firefighters hit the hardwood Monday to snag a victory over faculty from DeKalb School District 428 schools in a friendly game of basketball Monday.

DeKalb police and firefighters hit the hardwood Monday snagging a victory over faculty from DeKalb School District 428 schools in a friendly game of basketball. The annual charity event brought the community together to collect toy donations for children and families in need.

The DeKalb Fire Department recently announced its 27th annual Red Wreath Program, a holiday season campaign meant to encourage families to remember to put fire safety first this time of year.

Update: One DeKalb resident was displaced Sunday after a fire in their second-floor unit in The Terraces apartment complex at Annie Glidden Road and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, authorities said.

Authorities responded to a report of a burning smell in the maintenance garage at 2120 Pleasant St., owned by local telecommunications provider, Frontier Communications.

DeKalb firefighters responded to car on fire at South Fifth and Franklin streets midday Monday.

Three people, including a child, were hospitalized after a two-car crash in rural DeKalb Saturday, authorities said.

DeKalb firefighters responded to a kitchen fire inside a home on East Taylor Street in DeKalb Monday night.

A former manager of Fanatico Italian restaurant whose family owns the building in DeKalb allegedly paid two men to help him set fire to the place a week ago, and all three men face felony arson charges, court records show.

Update: DeKalb firefighters responded to a fire at a vacant apartment building on the city’s north side Friday afternoon.

What started a fire inside the former Fanatico Italian restaurant remains unknown, as investigators continue to piece together what happened Friday, authorities said.