Fire on South End Overnight

Effingham firefighters were called out overnight to a structure fire on the south end.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko said the call came at 1:10am to 608 Hendelmeyer Avenue, the home of Alyssa Long and Caleb Robinson, part of a duplex unit. The chief said the first arriving crews encountered a fire in the bathroom that had spread to the hallway. The crews performed what firefighters call an interior attack and contained the fire in those areas and then put out the fire.

The bathroom sustained heavy damage, while the rest of the unit sustained smoke damage. Tutko estimated the damage at $26,000.

The occupants had a smoke detector, but Tutko said it did not operate. He said the occupants were fortunately awakened by the smell of the smoke. Since this is the exception, and not always the case, the Fire Department is reminding citizens to test their smoke detectors monthly to assure proper operation. Also, make sure your insurance policies are up-to-date. Firefighters will visit homes in the area of the fire to offer smoke detectors and ask residents to check their detectors as part of a community risk reduction program.

The fire was accidental in nature, with a possible cause a bathroom appliance.

Shumway firefighters provided an engine and manpower at Effingham Station #1 and Watson firefighters provided an engine and manpower at Station #3. Teutopolis provided an engine and chief at the fire scene. Fire crews were on scene for about an hour.