IL Firefighters Free Couple from Partially Collapsed Building

April 15, 2021

Nokomis and Witt crews were able to rescue a husband and wife who became trapped when their apartment partially collapsed above the restaurant they own.

By Steven Spearie

Source The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill.

Firefighters rescued a couple who was trapped when their apartment in Nokomi, IL, partially collapsed early Wednesday.

A building on Nokomis' main street partially collapsed, trapping a couple inside their apartment just after midnight Wednesday, said the city's fire chief.

The building on Illinois 16 houses Demi's Diner. The restaurant's husband-wife owners and operators, Jesse and Cije "Sue" Sadiku, were removed safely by Nokomis and Witt fire crews from their apartment, which is above the restaurant.

Firefighters were able to get access to a back roof to reach the couple.

In a Facebook post, Sue Sadiku said "Jesse and I are doing well."

There were no injuries in the incident.

Photos showed a large pile of bricks and building signage in front of the restaurant.

At approximately 12:15 am Nokomis Fire was dispatched for a report of a building collapse. Chief Smalley arrived on...
Posted by Nokomis Area Fire Protection District on Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Fire chief Michael Smalley said it appeared to be "a structural failure," but that the state fire marshal is continuing to investigate.

Smalley said there is "minor damage" to an adjacent building that houses the Nokomis Medical Group. The medical group, which is part of Pana Community Hospital, was closed Wednesday.

Mayor Mike Holliday said Demi's was the only free-standing restaurant in town.

"It's going to hurt," Holliday admitted. "We're hoping they can rebuild, but that will be down the road."

Smalley said other structures in the area date from around 1900. The restaurant was at the southwest end of a series of buildings that form the block.

An online business profile indicated that Demi's started in 2008, but Smalley said it was another restaurant, Sheann's, before that.

Smalley said Illinois 16 from Cedar to Spruce streets remained shut down Wednesday over concern about loose bricks from the building.

Nokomis is a city of 2,250 residents in Montgomery County, about 50 minutes southeast of Springfield.

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