Fire Damages Apartment Unit in Effingham

Fire damaged two apartments in Effingham early Friday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to a building at 206 W. Temple Avenue about 1:30pm. The fire originated in the easternmost apartment unit in the building, upstairs on the second floor of the structure.

Effingham Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza said the fire was due to overuse of small extension cords and too many cords plugged into non-approved surge protectors. Kulesza said the cords and plugs overheated and started carpeting and boxes on fire at the top side of the stairs. He said the fire burned through the floor and extended into the downstairs apartment.

No one was at home at the building at the time of the fire.

Firefighters had the fire under control by 2pm. 

Teutopolis firefighters assisted the Effingham department at the scene and other area fire companies staffed the Effingham stations in case of another fire call. Effingham City Police and Abbott Ambulance also assisted at the scene.

Kulesza said two people have been displaced by the fire. They are staying with family members.