Fire Destroys Mobile Home South of Elliotstown

Fire destroyed a mobile home south of Elliotstown early Sunday morning.

Dieterich firefighters were called at 1am to the single-wide structure owned by the Poes, according to Dieterich Fire Chief Ross Martin. Initial information is that the fire started in the kitchen, but the entire structure was fully involved when firefighters reached the scene so the fire was switched to a full still. Firefighters from Teutopolis, Montrose and Watson were also called to the scene, and Effingham and Edgewood firefighters staffed the Dieterich station in case of another call. Rural Med EMS and Effingham County Sheriff's Department were also on scene. 

Everyone escaped the structure safely, and no firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire was not yet known Monday morning, but an official with the State Fire Marshal's Office was on scene with Martin to help determine a cause. The last firefighters cleared the scene about 3am.

Martin said the mobile home was a total loss, leaving the family without a place to live. Damage was estimated at more than $10,000. Red Cross is assisting the family with living quarters.