Garage Totaled by Fire in Effingham

(THE GARAGE AT 707 OAK STREET)

A garage at a residence on Effingham's west side is a total loss after fire destroyed the structure.

Effingham firefighters were called at 12:23pm to the home of Louise Fuesting at 707 Oak Street, just south across Grove Avenue from Effingham Junior High School. Fire Chief Joe Holomy said the fire is believed to have been caused by a leaf burn on Friday. Holomy said enough fire was left at the bottom of the pile to be ignited by Monday's breezes. He said the burning leaves were moved by the wind into the tongue-and-groove structure, igniting the garage and burning it along with the contents. There was no damage to the house, which is not attached to the garage.

Fuesting lives at the address with her daughter and granddaughter. No one was injured.

The fire was spotted by neighbor Michael Fryman, who lives across an alley west of the house. Fryman said he spotted smoke and notified the family.

Firefighters were on scene for about an hour.