Fire Damages Apartment Building on South 4th

Fire damaged an apartment building on South 4th Street in Effingham Monday afternoon.

Effingham firefighters were called to the building at 501 South 4th at 5:24pm. The pink brick building is on the west side of 4th Street, just north of the CSX Railroad crossing and is owned by Diane Reeder.

Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy said he thinks he knows the cause of the fire, but is asking a State Fire Marshal's Office representative to inspect the scene. The cause of the fire is currently listed as undetermined.

No one was injured. There are seven apartment units, one unoccupied at present. Holomy said electricity and gas service to the building has been cut off for now. Six people live in the building. The chief said the building is uninhabitable at present.

The principal damage was done to a garage and a first floor apartment unit. The dollar value of the damage done is estimated at $30,000.

Holomy said firefighters initially could not account for all of the building's occupants, so crews made three searches and could not find anyone inside the building.

Teutopolis firefighters were called for assistance.