An Effingham home was destroyed in a fire on Saturday.
According to Effingham Fire Chief Holomy, the Effingham Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 112 Forrest Street at 4:44pm on Saturday. The Effingham Police Department was the first to arrive on scene and reported that all the occupants were out of the residence. Upon arriving on scene at the residence, fire crews discovered heavy smoke coming from two eaves on the sides and heavy fire at the back side of the home. The Fire Department upgraded their call to a Full Still, calling assistance from additional fire crews. The crews worked to extinguish the fire, and reported that the rear deck was fully engulfed and fire was traveling up the outside wall and was in the attic. With high winds spreading the fire, the Effingham Fire Department upgraded the Full Still to a Box Alarm, calling for more fire crews from area fire departments. Fire crews attempted to work up to the second floor of the residence, but were unable to due to heavy fire and parts of the roof collapsing. After knocking the fire down, crews were able to enter the second floor and extinguish the fire. The fire crews that were called for mutual aid began to clear the scene at 7:14pm. The Effingham Fire Department cleared the scene at 7:44pm.
The Effingham Fire Department received mutual aid from Teutopolis, Watson, Altamont, Dieterich, Sigel, and Shumway Fire Departments. Additionally, the Red Cross was on scene providing cold water to the fire crews. EMS also closely monitored the fire fighters for exhaustion due to the heat of the fire and took vitals while the firefighters were in REHAB.
Chief Holomy stated that he doesn’t believe that this fire is suspicious. The cause of the fire will be investigated on Monday by the Effingham Fire Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office.
(Photos courtesy of the Effingham Fire Department)