Fire Damages Home North of Altamont

Fire damaged a house northwest of Altamont Tuesday morning.

Chris Hammer and his wife Cherie were not at home at the time the fire started, but Chris arrived home and found the fire and contacted Altamont firefighters about 9:30am.

Altamont Fire Chief Jon Becker said the fire started in the basement, but said they are unsure as to the cause. Becker said there was some charring in the basement and said heat was traveling up a stairway from the basement up into the entrance to the main part of the house. He said there was smoke throughout the house and said the family's dog perished due to the smoke.

Altamont firefighters were assisted by St. Elmo, Shumway and Tri-County firefighters, along with A-1 Ambulance, Rural Med EMS, and Effingham County Sheriff's Department.

The home is located on 1400th Avenue, about a mile east of Blue Point Lutheran Church.

Firefighters were on scene until about 11:30am.