ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Update: Saturday, Feb. 24, 10:15 p.m.: Rock Island Fire Marshal Greg Marty said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. It encompassed several city blocks.
According to Marty, 22 cattle have been rescued. One is dead, and one is still on the loose in Rock Island. No people are believed to be injured or dead.
Hundreds of people, including those living near the structure, watched as it burned to the ground. Smoke from the blaze was visible for miles around.
Amanda Gray, who lives near where the fire started, said she was worried the fire was going to spread to her home.
"It was really intense, and lot of popping, and fire just grew and got larger, and got larger," Gray said. "I was concerned about how high the flames were getting and how high it was up in the air and how dry everything was around us."
Marty is still asking the public to give space for crews to work, and to stay clear of 31st Avenue and 9th Street.
Original story:
A large fire erupted at the Rock Island Livestock Auction barn Saturday afternoon.
The wooden facility located at 534 34th Avenue caught fire around 5:30 p.m. Fire departments from all around the Quad Cities responded.
Firefighters set up a collapse zone around the site. Authorities say there are no known injuries.
Firefighters are asking the public to stay at least two blocks away from the scene of the fire as they contain the blaze.
News 8 will update this news story as more information is made available. Download our app and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates.