Effingham Garage Fire Involves Explosion, One Person Treated

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF EFFINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Effingham firefighters handled a garage fire Monday evening that involved an explosion. One person was taken from the scene for treatment of injuries.

The fire call came at 5:52pm to 215 East St. Louis Avenue. While on the way to the fire scene, crews were advised of numerous reports of an explosion in the building and a subject laying on the ground outside of the garage. Firefighters located the subject laying in the yard on the east side of the building and was being treated by Abbott EMS. The person was then transported to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital.

Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza said there was heavy smoke and fire load on the west side of the structure. A full still was ordered to bring in Teutopolis firefighters.

The fire was contained and brought under control 35 minutes after firefighters reached the scene.

A residence at 307 North 2nd Street, south of the involved garage, sustained damage to the siding from the radiant heat from the fire.

Once the fire was out, Kulesza began an investigation into the cause and the point of origin of the fire. He said the fire being classified as incendiary, and is being investigated by the Effingham Police Department and the Effingham Fire Department.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 7pm.