House Fire Near Heartville Tuesday Night

Fire damaged a home near Heartville Tuesday night.

Watson Fire Protection District firefighters were called to the Jack Kreke home at 7996 North 1525th Street at 8:49pm. The house is located southeast of Heartville.

Kreke phoned 911 reporting he arrived home to find the house full of smoke and he observed flames inside the residence. A full still alarm assignment was immediately issued, based on the report of a working fire.

Fire was observed in the laundry room near the back door of the residence. Smoke conditions were heavy throughout the residence and the majority of the fire was located around the washer and dryer. The fire was contained to the laundry room and the ceiling and the floor of the laundry room were opened up to make sure the fire had not spread to the attic or crawl space of the residence.

Personnel continued to overhaul the fire area and ventilated the residence of smoke. The entire residence suffered smoke damage and some water damage was present as well near the fire room. The estimate of damage to the structure and contents is not yet known.

An initial investigation of the fire determined the point of origin was near the dryer, however a cause could not be determined. The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal was contacted to investigate the fire further. 

The last Watson engine company left the scene close to 11pm, approximately two hours after the time of the call.

Due to high heat and humidity at the time of the fire, all personnel actively working were rotated through a rehabilitation sector and checked out by Abbott EMS personnel on scene. 30 firefighters were on scene operating at the incident.

Mutual aid companies assisting at the scene were Effingham Fire Department, Shumway Fire Protection District, Dieterich Fire Protection District and Teutopolis Fire Protection District. Also on scene was a representative of Norris Electric Cooperative. Mutual aid companies covering the Watson fire station were Altamont Fire Protection District and Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District.