Two people were at the station at the time, but neither heard the gun shot. They saw the damage a short time later.

Soldier Township Battalion Chief Chris Hamilton, who was on duty at the time, said he wasn’t sure why the fire station was a target.

The Sherman City Council unanimously approved a contract with Schmoldt Construction Inc. Monday to serve as construction manager-at-risk for renovations at Fire Station No. 5, which is located at 3704 Frisco Road on the city’s north side. The council then approved a request to advertise for a construction manager-at-risk for the work to build a new fire station No. 4 on the west side of Northgate Drive.

Fire Chief Danny Jones said the renovations to Fire Station No. 5 will make it more comfortable for the firefighters.

The engine is one of three vehicles the department sends out first on fire calls, according to Jones. There is another pumper at the substation on White Pine Drive and a 4-wheel drive truck that is the first out for fires on the mountains "where these big trucks can't get to," he said.

The pump truck that the new truck replaces downtown will be used at the substation on White Pine Drive. The pumper that currently services that station, which has been in use for nearly 25 years, will be decommissioned, according to Jones. Pump trucks last about 20 years, he said.

T. Rippel Construction of La Salle donated concrete and Wenzel Concrete Works of Oglesby donated labor for footings, foundation and floor, which would have cost an estimated $15,000, according to the city.