FREEPORT — Stockton firefighters are assessing the damage after their unoccupied firehouse caught fire this morning, severely damaging the building and equipment stored inside, Stockton Police Chief LaDon Trost said.

The fire was reported about 11 a.m. and extinguished about 1:30 p.m. at the station at Front and Hudson streets. Some equipment, including a tanker truck, was stored in a building across the street.

“Unfortunately, all their air packs were located in the building where the fire was, so they weren’t able to gain entry,” Trost said. “They were able to work on the fire until other equipment from other departments arrived.”

Authorities believe the fire started in a piece of equipment inside a pull-behind trailer, Trost said.

Jillian Duchnowski: 815-232-0156; jillian.duchnowski@journalstandard.com; @jillianduch