Fire Damages Home at Willow and Grove (ADDL INFO)

A Sunday morning house fire damaged a home at Willow and Grove in Effingham.

Effingham firefighters were called to the home of Kenny Martin and his family at 9:10am. Effingham Fire Captain Jason Lee said a State Fire Marshal's Office representative is listing the cause of the fire as undetermined. There was extensive damage done. It's also not clear where the fire originated.

Lee said Martin was at home alone when he noticed the fire and got out safely, but then went back to try to get the family's two dogs out of the structure. Lee said Martin was then taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham for treatment of smoke inhalation. Lee said the dogs died in the fire.

Teutopolis Fire Protection District, Shumway Fire, Watson Fire, Dieterich Fire, Tri-County Fire, Effingham Police Department, Abbott EMS, and Ameren Illinois assisted at the scene or by staffing the Effingham stations.

Most firefighters were clearing the scene shortly after noon, but one crew stayed on scene until close to 3pm waiting on a construction crew to board up the structure. The portion of Grove Avenue north of the structure remained closed today due to concerns the structure might collapse. An AmerenIllinois crew capped the gas line to the structure.

There is a local effort to help the family with necessary items lost in the fire. If you'd like to help out, items can be dropped off at 706 South Willow Street in Effingham. Below is a list of items being collected.