A mobile home located in Lakewood Manor Trailer Park is being considered a total loss following a fire that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday.
We recently spoke with Effingham Fire Chief, Joseph Holomy, in regards to the fire. According to Chief Holomy, the Fire Department was called to a mobile home on fire at approximately 12:42am. While in route to the fire, the Department was advised that the mobile home was completely engulfed. The Department then upgraded the call to a Full-Still, pulling extra Effingham Fire Crews and Teutopolis Fire Department to the scene and Watson Fire Department for station coverage.
Upon arrival, fire crews reported seeing heavy fire in the mobile home. They battled the blaze and it was deemed under control at approximately 1:09am. The sole occupant of the residence, Cheryl Peno, was out of the residence at the time the department had arrived on scene. According to a Facebook post by the Fire Department, Peno had stated to the Department that she was awaken by a burning sensation in her throat. When she awoke, there was heavy smoke and flames in the residence. She then exited the home through the back door. She was taken to HSHS St Anthony’s Memorial Hospital for treatment and was released later. The homeowner, Terry Allsop, was out of town.
The mobile home and its contents were deemed a total loss and was estimated at $23,000. The mobile home next door had sustained heat damage to the siding. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
