Fire Damages Residential Building on West Fayette

Fire did major damage to a residential structure at 605 W. Fayette Saturday afternoon.

(THE FIRE SCENE EARLY IN THE PROCEEDINGS)

Effingham firefighters were called to the fire at 3:45pm. The more-than-100-year-old structure is located one door west of the ReMax Realtors office, which is at the corner of Fayette and Maple.

The fire started in the rear of the two-story structure and did damage throughout the building.

(LATER IN THE PROCEEDINGS, AFTER FIREFIGHTERS KNOCKED DOWN THE FIRE)

A woman and her grandchildren reportedly lived in the structure, but they all escaped unharmed. The report was that the family was doing some painting, and had candles lighted to deal with the odor. Something caught fire and it was thrown outside, but it might have ignited the structure.

Happily, one of two cats living in the house was returned by firefighters to its owner.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko is estimating the dollar value damage at $100,000. Fire companies from Teutopolis, Watson, Dieterich and Altamont assisted Effingham firefighters. 

One firefighter suffered a back injury and was treated at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, then released.

Fire vehicles had Fayette Avenue closed from Maple to Mulberry Streets.