House Fire on Willow Street Saturday

Fire damaged a home at 1401 South Willow Saturday afternoon.

Effingham firefighters were called to the scene at 3:11pm. The home is owned by Lenard Berne and Cynthia Fearden.

Firefighters report one of the homeowners was in a detached garage at the home watching TV. When the TV flickered, the homeowner checked the house. Upon entering the basement, the homeowner noticed the dehumidifier was on fire with heavy black smoke filling the basement. Firefighters confirmed the fire was started in the dehumidifier. Further investigation determined the breaker supplying the dehumidifier had tripped. Smoke detectors were present and were sounding when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters were notified en route to the fire scene that there was smoke coming from the basement and kitchen windows. When reaching the scene, firefighters could see black smoke coming from the basement and main level windows. A fire crew used a pressurized water extinguisher to put out the fire.

Reports indicate that although the fire was small and confined to a small area, the smoke conditions from melting plastic coolers and plastic tubs in the area of the fire caused heavy black smoke and filled both levels of the house. Firefighters worked to remove smoke from the residence.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 4pm, 50 minutes after alarm time. Effingham city police assisted at the fire scene with traffic control.