A fire in a two-story house at 611 W. Edgar Ave. on Monday spread from a wood stove in the kitchen, according to Effingham Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza.
The fire did “extensive damage to the interior” said Kulesza because once the fire spread into the walls, it continued to grow and climbed its way through the attic above the kitchen.
“We had to start ripping a lot of the ceilings out just to get to the bulk of the fire,” said Kulesza.
Kulesza estimates damages to be around $80,000, due mainly to water used by firefighters. The family mainly lost clothing and interior furnishings such as beds.
Brothers Dustin Wheelock and Nichola Wheelock lived there with their mother Barb Huffman and two cats for six years. There were no injuries to them or the firefighters, and the two cats have been found.
According to Kulesza, it will be up to the insurance company as to whether or not the house can be salvaged.
Kulesza said the Effingham Fire Department had to bring additional assistance from Teutopolis Fire Protection District, Altamont Fire Protection District, Dieterich Fire Protection District, Rural Med EMS, Ameren Illinois Electric and Gas, Effingham city police department, Effingham city dispatch (which helped with radio traffic) and Effingham Water Department. They all helped the Effingham fire department with traffic control, communication and the icy and windy weather conditions.
The family is currently receiving help from the Red Cross, which trying to find them a place to stay and clothing and toiletry items.