Gas Explosion in Apartment House Leads to Discovery of Code Violations

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Published on June 18 2019 3:48 pm
Last Updated on June 18 2019 6:15 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(THE SCENE AT 311 NORTH 3rd EARLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON)

 

A gas cooking stove exploded in an Effingham apartment building early Tuesday afternoon. The explosion didn't result in fires or injuries, but did result in the discovery of a number of code violations that will need to be addressed by the building's owner, Henry Probst.

Effingham firefighters and police were called to 311 North 3rd Street. Fire Chief Bob Tutko said the explosion occurred when someone tried to light the pilot light on the stove. The explosion left a hole in the ceiling of the second floor apartment

Tutko said a number of fire code violations were discovered in the building, including a lack of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, but said the gas appliances are not up to code, either. City police and firefighters were joined on scene by City Building Official Michelle Wilkens and Electrical Inspector Dennis Niebrugge.

AmerenIllinois gas crews were called to shut off the gas until the problems are corrected. In the meantime, the building is unavailable to the residents. Tutko contacted Red Cross to assist in finding living quarters