Residential Structure Fire Fought Sunday

The Effingham Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 409 South Fourth Street in Effingham Sunday at 3:12 a.m. The occupants of the home were Dustin Williams and Heather Miller along with their son Skylar.

The first Engine Company crews reported heavy smoke from the single family residence upon arriving. The residents had been evacuated from the home. The first officer in reported fire had advanced up into the soffits and believed the fire was already in the attic. The first crew in pulled a 1 3/4 attack line and began to darken down the fire from the outside and, as the second Engine Company arrived, advanced into the residence with the attack line through the front door.

The first-in Truck Company arrived and went onto the building and ventilated the roof directly above the fire which was in the front of the resident on the east side. A full still alarm was called at 3:29 a.m. and included change of quarters Engine Companies from Watson FPD to Station #3 and Teutopolis FPD to Station #1 along with a chief from Teutopolis FPD to Station #1.

EMS was due onto the scene for REHAB. The second in-Truck Company assisted in pulling two separate ceilings in the living room in order to access the fire in the attic, one drop ceiling and the other lath/plaster. The Squad Company arrived and relieved the first in Engine Company co complete extinguishment and overall operations.

The fire was declared under control at 3:47 a.m. Ameren was called to the scene to secure and shut off all utilities.

Williams was transported from the scene by ambulance to St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. The property is owned by Rick Elmore of Effingham. The residence sustained fire damage to the living room, attic and front porch with smoke damage throughout. Structural damage is estimated at $30,000 and contents damaged or lost is estimated at $10,000. The occupants of the residence had no renters insurance.

The cause of the fire remains under investigaiton but is known to have started outside of the residence near the front porch. Williams, Miller and their son are staying with relatives in Effingham.

Effingham Police Department assisted with traffic control. The fire companies cleared the scene at 5:25 a.m.