Fire Does Major Damage to Home South of Effingham

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Published on January 9 2017 7:46 am
Last Updated on January 9 2017 8:00 am
Written by Greg Sapp

No one was injured but major damage was done by a fire in a home south of Effingham over the weekend.

Watson Fire Protection District was notified by passersby of the fire at 7:19pm Saturday. The home is owned by Danny Bushur. No one was at home at the time of the fire. 

The home is located near the intersection of 1600th Street and 400th Avenue in Union Township. The passersby reported smoke coming from several windows and the roof of the two-story farmhouse.

The first arriving engine company reported heavy smoke billowing from all sides of the house. Firefighters forced entry to the residence and an interior fire attack was initiated. Crews were able to knock down a considerable amount of fire discovered on the first floor before having to exit the residence due to deteriorating conditions on the second floor. The effort shifted to an exterior attack, utilizing three hand lines and were able to get the fire under control. Crews then re-entered the residence for overhaul and to hit remaining hot spots. 

The fire caused significant damage to several rooms of the residence, both on the first and second floors, including a partial collapse of the second floor. Smoke and water damage was present throughout the residence. 

An area of origin was located, but the cause of the fire is still being determined.

Firefighting crews were severely hampered by the freezing temperatures, which hovered near zero with the wind chill. Crews had to contend with equipment becoming frozen to the ground and icy conditions created as a result of firefighting efforts.

As a result of the severe weather conditions, several mutual aid companies were summoned to the scene. Mutual aid companies assisting on scene were Shumway, Dieterich, Edgewood Bi-County, Altamont, Teutopolis and Sigel Fire Protection Districts and the Effingham Fire Department. St. Peter and Farina Fire Protection Districts provided change of quarters companies at the Watson Fire Station in case of another call. Also assisting on scene were the Effingham City/County Ambulance Service and Norris Electric Cooperative.

Mutual Aid companies were released after just over hours; however, Watson Fire Protection District units continued to deal with smoldering building materials and hot spots for approximately 6-1/2 hours after the fire was reported.