Fire Damages Home in Teutopolis

Fire damaged a home in Teutopolis Sunday evening.

Teutopolis firefighters were called at 6:05pm to 18145 E. 1540th Avenue in K & N Subdivision due to a report of smoke in the garage.

Fire personnel arrived to find smoke coming out of the eaves of the home and reported a working structure fire. A full still was called, which brought in mutual aid from Sigel, Montrose, Watson and Effingham, and a change of quarters from Watson and Shumway fire departments. Effingham City-County Ambulance Service also responded.

Fire crews had the fire out quickly. It was determined a barrel containing rags coated in unknown substances spontaneously combusted. The rags then caught the barrel on fire and the fire worked its way up a wall of the garage and towards the attic.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which was spotted by a passing neighbor.

The fire did approximately $5,000 damage. No one was injured.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 7:21pm.