CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill — For the second time in less than a month, a Metro East fire station was left with costly damages after being struck by gunfire.
The Camp Jackson Fire Department shared on Facebook Wednesday that it had been hit again.
Fire Chief Chris Davis told 5 On Your Side the firehouse was struck at about 7 p.m. Tuesday. Bullets had gone through two of the garage's bay windows, and one of the bullets flew off the side mirror of a firetruck that was parked inside.
"My captain was in. He said he just heard glass flying. I think he was eating dinner back in the back and came out here and found the one bullet hole. And then, we called the police. The police got here, and then we found another one," Davis said.
Two firefighters were at the house when it happened, Davis said, but no one was injured and no other damage was reported.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, Davis said.
"The crime scene tech took some evidence, hoping they could figure it out. We're hoping it's somebody that's just, target practicing up by the levy. And maybe it's ricocheting the same way. We don't know," Davis said.
The last time the firehouse was struck by gunfire was just before midnight on New Year's Eve. A firefighter had moved away from the garage door just moments before a bullet shot out one of the door's bay windows.
RELATED: Stray bullet hits Metro East firehouse on New Year's Eve, narrowly missing firefighter's head
The fire department commented on Wednesday's Facebook post that it was getting bids on bulletproof windows for the garage, though it probably will be too expensive for the department to afford.
"We are also considering replacing it with metal instead, but a bullet could probably get through that too," Davis said.
He said this is one too many close calls and they want whoever is doing this to stop because they're putting people's lives at risk.
"I'm hoping it was accidental and they just stop doing what they're doing. You know, if they’re target practicing, which I'm all for that, I have no problem with that. I do it myself, but they just might need to move their angle a little bit so no one gets hurt," Davis said.
In the meantime, the Camp Jackson Fire Department said it is selling raffle tickets to help cover the cost of security cameras for the fire station. If you're interested in supporting the cause, you can contact the fire station at 618-332-2196.
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