Effingham Firefighters Called Out Twice Monday Evening

Effingham firefighters were called out twice Monday evening.

One call was a garage fire at 609 Edgar Avenue at 8:15pm. The garage was along an alley. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko said it appears the fire was caused by an electrical issue with wiring supplying the garage with power from the house.

The front of the garage was fully involved in flames when firefighters reached the scene. Tutko said, "a quick response and a fast attack by firefighters kept the fire from spreading to the nearby residence. He said firefighters were assisted by Effingham City Police, and AmerenIllinois. Shumway Fire Protection District firefighters provided an engine company and personnel to cover Effingham Station #1 during the fire, and assisted in placing Effingham equipment back in service.

Prior to the garage fire, Effingham firefighters were called at 7:15pm for a brush fire behind Econolodge. As firefighters arrived, they encountered the brush fire that had moved to the underside of a shipping container being used for storage of doors and other property at Econolodge. Fire crews had to cut away sections of the floor of the shipping container to get to the fire. Damage was valued at $1,000 and no one was injured. 

Firefighters had just returned from the brush fire when the garage fire call came. Tutko said Monday night was also their designated training night so they had more personnel on hand than usual, which he said helped tremendously.