House Fire in Effingham Sunday Night Termed an Arson

Local officials say the Sunday night house fire in Effingham has been confirmed an arson.

Detective Todd Ebbert of the Effingham Police Department said Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy and an official with the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office completed their investigation of the scene this morning and issued the arson ruling.

The Effingham Fire Department was called out at 7:32pm Sunday to 1000 South Fourth Street. The Effingham Police Department was first on scene, reporting heavy fire, which prompted a full still alarm bringing mutual aid from Watson and Teutopolis.

Fire heavily damaged the large, two-story home, which had been vacant for a couple of years. The home had previously been a multi-dwelling rental home, which a neighbor reported had very recently seen the start of a renewed renovation.

Crews had the fire under control at 7:53pm and began clearing the scene at 9pm.

If you have any information on Sunday night's arson incident, contact Crimestoppers at 217-347-6583.

Below is audio from Effingham firefighter J.R. Nieman at the scene.