Altamont Firefighters Battle Shed Fire

Fire destroyed a shed at a property in Altamont during the noon hour Monday, resulting in injuries to the resident.

Altamont Fire Chief Jon Becker said firefighters were called at 12:44pm to 5 North St. Clair, the residence of Ryan Lemke. Becker said Lemke was doing some burning in the backyard and the shed caught on fire.

Becker said the shed was a total loss. The fire also got into the roof of the house.

Lemke was injured and was taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Becker said there were some propane bottles that Lemke was trying to move away from the fire and that's when he was injured.

Becker said the fire destroyed vinyl fencing around the yard, and some siding on the house was melted due to radiant heat from the fire.

Becker said no firefighters were injured. Crews were on scene for about 90 minutes.