A kitchen fire at an apartment complex on Hillside Drive in Effingham left two people injured and 18 residents displaced on Sunday afternoon. The Effingham Fire Department responded to the call at 1618 Hillside Dr., Apartment E5, around 4:02 PM on October 27, 2024. Upon arrival, firefighters found visible flames coming from the building's exterior and quickly launched an exterior attack to contain the blaze.
Reports indicated that occupants were trapped inside. Firefighters rescued two individuals from a second-floor apartment across from the affected unit, while a third person managed to escape by jumping from a second-story window. The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes, but crews remained on scene until 7:30 PM to conduct overhaul operations and investigate the cause of the fire.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Effingham Fire Department are currently investigating the cause. Rural Med EMS transported two individuals to St. Anthony Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Damages are estimated at approximately $750,000.
The response involved a coordinated effort from several agencies, including Effingham City Dispatch, Effingham Police Department, Rural Med EMS, and fire departments from Teutopolis, Shumway, Watson, Altamont, Dieterich, and Montrose.
The affected building housed eight apartments and a total of 18 residents, all of whom have been displaced.
Fire Chief Brant Yochum confirmed the ongoing investigation and praised the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies.
