Good Neighbors Help Lessen Damage from Home Fire

Shumway Fire Protection District firefighters were called at 6:15pm Saturday to a home on South Circle Drive for a possible structure fire. The fire was spotted by a neighbor out walking, who heard the smoke detector sounding from inside the residence. The neighbor tried to alert those in the house, but was unable to reach anyone. It was at that point that the neighbor observed smoke coming from an open window and phoned 911.

(THE STOVE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE)

Another neighbor, Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes, went into the residence to make sure there wasn't anyone inside. Rhodes, a retired Illinois State Trooper, made her way through the home and established that no one was inside. She also made sure the homeowner's dog got out of the house safely.

While in the home, Rhodes discovered the source of the fire was the kitchen stove. She turned off the stove and put some water on the fire.

When firefighters reached the scene, they removed the stove from the home then did a thorough search to make sure the fire had not spread. Total damage is estimated at $2,500. 

The firefighters' investigation determined that the fire was caused by the dog, which had jumped up onto the stove to retrieve a box of leftover pizza. When the dog jumped, it turned on one of the stove's burners that ignited a bag and its contents sitting on the stovetop.

Fire personnel were on scene for about one hour. Effingham and Watson firefighters were dispatched due to their Auto Aid agreement with the Shumway department, but were cancelled prior to reaching the scene.