4 fires in 10 hours: Overnight Fourth of July fires under investigation in Rockford

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and two residents were displaced as the Rockford Fire Department responded to four fires in the span of 10 hours early Friday, July 5.

What caused the fires remains under investigation.

First, firefighters responded to a structure fire call at 4:50 p.m. July 4 in the 900 block of Sunset Avenue.

Then they were called at 12:39 a.m. July 5 to the 1000 block of Montague Street where a detached garage was badly damaged by fire. A firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling the blaze.

Minutes later, a residential structure fire was reported at 12:43 a.m. in the 2100 block of Martha Street where a vacant house under construction sustained fire and smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

A detached garage was badly damaged by fire at 2:03 a.m. in the 300 block of Morgan St. It also damaged the house and spread to another house at 1110 S. Church St., according to information provided by the Fire Department.

The houses were unoccupied when firefighters arrived. They extinguished the fire in about 40 minutes. It is estimated to have caused $75,000 in damage. Two adults were displaced from the Church Street home and were being assisted by the Red Cross.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.