Fire Damages Effingham Apartment Unit

Fire from a stove that appeared to turn itself on caused damage in an apartment unit at 312 North Oak in Effingham.

Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy said firefighters were called at 9:32am by the occupant of the apartment unit.  Holomy said the occupant was visiting with a neighbor in another unit and found her unit full of smoke when she returned.

Holomy said approximately $5,000 damage was done by fire damage in the kitchen area and smoke throughout the unit. 

While firefighters were on scene they found another apartment unit had the same experience.  Holomy said the resident of the second unit noticed her stove smoking.  He said the second resident's brother was visiting and moved the stove and unplugged it before any damage was done.

Ameren crews were called to the apartment building to make sure there weren't any other problems and to determine what repairs are needed.  The occupant of the fire-damaged apartment unit is being relocated to an unoccupied unit in the building while repairs are made.

Firefighters cleared the scene just before 11am.