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Effingham County, IL-(Effingham Radio)- On 04/07/2025 at approximately 1:40 am Shumway Fire Protection District personnel were dispatched to 11150 E. Cambridge Lane for a reported structure fire.
The first arriving units reported heavy smoke and fire conditions at the attached garage. The homeowner, who was outside the residence, advised he had been awakened by his fire alarm system and when he went to investigate why it had activated, he found one of his vehicles inside of the garage on fire. The homeowner advised none of the vehicles inside the garage were electric vehicles. The homeowner attempted to get the burning vehicle out of the garage, but the rapid growth of the fire and heavy smoke conditions forced him to abandon his attempt. The homeowner was later evaluated on scene for smoke inhalation by Rural Med EMS personnel.
Fire personnel deployed multiple handlines and aerial master streams to conduct a coordinated exterior and interior attack of the fire. The residence was found to have a complex construction layout with multiple voids which provided concealment for the fire as it spread from the attic area of the garage into the attic area of the main portion of the residence. Fire personnel were able to fully extinguish the fire at approximately 6:52 am. During firefighting operations, one firefighter, who was conducting interior operations, became disoriented in the dense smoke and fell down a flight of stairs. The firefighter was transported by Rural Med EMS to HSHS St. Anthony’s Hospital for evaluation and later released.
At its peak, the incident reached a second-level box alarm. Fire agencies that aided on scene included Effingham Fire Department, Altamont Fire Protection District, Watson Fire Protection District, Tri-County Fire Protection District, Dieterich Fire Protection District, Edgewood Fire Protection District, St. Elmo Fire Protection District, Brownstown Fire Protection District, Shelbyville Fire Protection District. Additionally, Stewardson Fire Protection District, Greenup Fire Protection District, and Kinmundy-Alma Fire Protection District provided station coverage. Assistance was also provided on scene by Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, Ameren (Electric and Gas), and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The residence sustained substantial damage from the fire, including smoke and water damage. The total cost associated with the damage from the fire has yet to be determined. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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