Space Heater Believed Cause of House Fire in Mattoon

A space heater is being blamed for a fire that did extensive damage to a house in Mattoon.

Mattoon firefighters were called at 7:43pm Monday to a house in the 600 block of South 28th Street. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and heavy fire when they reached the scene. The back half of the structure was fully involved in fire. Firefighters were on scene until 10:30pm.

There were two residents at home at the time of the fire, but they were able to escape. One of the residents was treated at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County for smoke inhalation. Three dogs and a cat in the home were killed.

Firefighters listed the cause of the fire as a space heater left unattended and left too close to combustible materials.