Fire Department Crews Knock Down Two Fires Tuesday

The homeowner was in a lower level family room when he smelled smoke and noticed a haze. When he went upstairs to investigate he found a large amount of smoke in the second floor kitchen. As he exited the home, he saw heavier smoke coming from the garage and entered the garage to remove his truck. Once the overhead door was open, the garage burst into flames and he was able to get the vehicle out of the garage. The wind was also a factor and fed the flames, which then extended the fire into the home and to the neighbors home at 1008 E Grove.

First arriving crews utilizied a deck gun to knock down the main body of fire and quickly deployed two additional hand lines -- one to gain control of the fire inside at 1006 E Grove and gain control of the fire at 1008 Grove.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko said, "The firefighters and police officers who responded are to be commended for their quick actions to gain control of the fire. Effingham Police officers who arrived on the scene assisted with the exterior hose line operation at 1008 Grove."

There were no injuries, and damage is estimated at $100,000 to the 1006 E Grove address and about $15,000 to the residence at 1008 E Grove address. The fire is classified as accidental with the likely cause related to an electrical issue in the garage.

Effingham firefighters were assisted at the scene by Teutopolis firefighters while Altamont, Shumway and Dietrich firefighters backfilled the Effingham Fire Stations during the fire.

"We were able to bring the fire under control fairly quickly and there was extensive overhaul of the fire building required due to the volume of fire we were confronted with," said Chief Tutko.