Mobile Home East of Watson Destroyed by Fire (ADDITIONAL INFO)

Fire destroyed a mobile home east of Watson Tuesday morning.

Watson firefighters were called to the scene just after 8am. The fire totaled the mobile home of Roger Verdeyen along 700th Avenue, about three miles east off US Highway 45. Verdeyen's daughter-in-law said he was trying to fix his breakfast when the fire resulted. The fire spread quickly, but Verdeyen was able to get out unharmed. Firefighters say a grease fire began on the stove top and extended to the surrounding cabinets and appliances. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist Verdeyen since he was displaced from his home.

The mobile home was located on the north side of the road in a grove of trees where a number of mobile homes, motor homes and campers are located. Firefighters confined the fire to the one structure.

Watson Fire reports the first arriving engine company reported heavy fire involvement to approximately half of the house trailer, including the south wall already partially collapsing. Crews stretched an attack line and began to knock down the fire. An interior attack was attempted, but the floor of the home had been compromised by the heavy volume of fire.

As mutual aid companies arrived, another attack line was taken to the rear of the residence to assist the initial line. Numerous household and outdoor items were stored against the rear of the residence, so the second attack line was deployed to that area and into the back door of the residence. 

After knocking down the large majority of the fire, crews began overhaul efforts on the exterior siding as well as on the items inside the residence. Two dogs were able to be recovered from the residence, however both succumbed to smoke inhalation during the fire.

The office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal was contacted to investigate the cause and origin of the fire. Norris Electric Cooperative also assisted with disconnecting the electric service to the residence.

Watson firefighters were joined by companies from Shumway Fire Protection District, Effingham Fire Department, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District, Dieterich Fire Protection District and Altamont Fire Protection District. Change of Quarters companies to the Watson fire station included Altamont Fire Protection District, Montrose Fire Protection District and St. Elmo Fire Protection District. Also assisting on scene were Effingham County sheriff's deputies and Abbott EMS.

No firefighters were injured during the incident. One resident was checked out by EMS on scene due to possible smoke inhalation.