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The Rockford Fire Department responded to Rock River Disposal located at 4002 South Main for a
commercial structure fire. Upon arrival crews were met with heavy smoke coming from all parts of the
building. The building was secured and there were no workers on site so access to the fire was very
difficult. Forcible entry crews cut access points in eight overhead garage doors. Second and third alarms
were called. This was a defensive fire at first because there was no life inside and viability was limited
to a few inches. When the building was ventilated, crews made entry for extinguishment. There were
many hazards in the building including combustible liquids, multiple garbage trucks, welding materials
and open pits. Once inside, we were able to determine that a garbage truck was still burning and it had
to be removed. Maggio towing was called and they pulled the garbage truck through one of the still
existing overhead doors and out of the building. Once the truck was removed, crews went back inside to
extinguish hot spots. The effected truck is a total loss and the building suffered severe damage. The fire
is under investigation and the estimated loss is $1.2 million.