Two Fires Destroy Homes Near St. Elmo

Fire destroyed a modular home north of St. Elmo Friday morning, and that follows a fire that did major damage to a farmhouse south of St. Elmo Wednesday night.

The Friday morning fire destroyed the home of Brian Sidwell just north of St. Elmo. A passerby spotted the fire about 5am and notified authorities. No one was home at the time of the fire.

St. Elmo Fire Chief Doug Engeljohn said the structure was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters reached the scene. Firefighters finally cleared the scene about 7:30am.

The earlier fire did major damage to a home south of the St. James community. Firefighters were called to the scene at 8:20pm Wednesday and were on scene until 2:30am Thursday. The home is owned by Ragel Farms. Brandy May and her children live in the home and got out of the house safely.

Engeljohn said the St. Elmo Fire Protection District was joined by fire companies from Brownstown, Altamont, St. Peter, Farina, Tri-County from Beecher City, Edgewood Bi-County, and Watson, while the Vandalia department covered the Brownstown station. Effingham was called off enroute with a ladder truck.

Engeljohn said no firefighters were injured. He said 90,000 gallons of water was used on the house in wind chills of more than -20.  

Engeljohn believes the cause of the fire was overloaded electrical circuits. He estimates the two-story structure might be 100 years old. He said the family was able to visit the fire scene Thursday and salvage some items.