Fire Damages Mobile Home in Rural Mason

Watson Fire Protection District was dispatched Wednesday afternoon to 3274 N 1100th Street in rural Mason for a reported residential structure fire. A passerby reported the mobile home residence was fully involved in fire about 3:15pm. It was further reported all occupants were out of the residence. Effingham Fire Department and Shumway Fire Protection District were contacted for automatic aid due to the call being a confirmed structure fire.  

Upon arrival, Watson FPD personnel discovered a single-wide mobile home approximately ¾ involved in fire. An exterior fire extinguishment operation was initiated by fire companies as they arrived on scene. A full still alarm was called for additional water supply, bringing Teutopolis Fire Protection District and Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District to the scene with tenders.

The fire was marked under control approximately 1 hour after the arrival of the first engine company. Overhaul operations continued for approximately 2 hours after this. Watson FPD units cleared the scene at approximately 1900 hours. The home and contents were a total loss due to fire, smoke and water damage.

The resident, Brandon Smith, advised he had been using a heat source to thaw water pipes underneath the trailer, however it is unknown at this time if this was the cause of the fire. Smith was not home at the time of the fire. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal was contacted to send an Investigator to the scene to complete an investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were the Effingham County Sheriff's Department, Abbott EMS and Ameren Illinois.

One firefighter suffered minor injury due to falling on the ice at the scene, but no medical treatment was needed.