Mattoon Fire Leaves Residence Uninhabitable

According to the Mattoon Fire Department's Press Release, on Tuesday, February 4, firefighters were dispatched to 808 Piatt for a possible structure fire at 7:36 A.M.  Crews arrived on scene of a single-family residential structure at 7:40 A.M to find heavy fire coming from the back of the residence.  Crews were advised on arrival that a passerby was able to alert the sole occupant of the residence and safely remove her from the structure.  2 hose lines were deployed to knock down the fire that was beginning to extend to a neighboring garage. Crews then transitioned to an interior attack to put out the remaining fire.  An ambulance was contacted for an evaluation of the occupant and the gentleman that had removed her from the residence.  Both were treated on scene but not transported to the hospital.

The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes.  Crews then began searching for any remaining hot spots.  Department investigators began a cause and origin investigation.  This fire is still under investigation with the assistance of the Office of the State Fire Marshall. 

The structure is deemed uninhabitable.  The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupant.  Most fire units cleared the scene at 10:04 A.M, with 1 Engine remaining on scene to conduct the investigation.

The Mattoon Fire Department would like to thank the good Samaritan for stopping and assisting the occupant safely out of the structure.

The Mattoon Fire Department was assisted by:  Mattoon Police Department, Charleston Fire Department, Coles/Moultrie 911 (Ccom), Office of the State Fire Marshall, Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance, Ameren, and the American Red Cross.

The Mattoon Fire Department would like to remind all residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors inside your residence.