Dog dies in a Mattoon house fire

MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — Early Saturday morning, the Mattoon Fire Department went to the 2800 block of Shelby Ave. to put out a house fire. A portion of the roof had already collapsed, causing crews to focus on the exterior until the fire was out.

In a news release from the MFD Fire Chief, Jeff Hilligoss, the MFD said crews arrived at the house around 3:45 a.m. on November 23 to find flames coming through the roof. The Mattoon Police said all occupants except a dog made it safely outside the home.

Firefighters used a master stream deck gun to knock down the bulk of the fire. Three hand lines were used to put out the rest of the fire in the house's attic.

After putting out most of the fire, firefighters were able to enter the house to search for hidden fires and hot spots.

To reach the remaining hot spots, an excavator had to be brought in to remove sections of the roof that had already collapsed.

One dog died in the fire. No injuries to the fire crew or residents were reported.

The scene was cleared by 10:40 a.m., and MFD was assisted by Coles/Moultrie 911 (Ccom), Mattoon Police Department, Charleston Fire Department, Lake Land College PD, City of Mattoon Public Works, Ameren gas and electric, and American Red Cross.

The MFD also wants to thank Holey Moley Daylight Donuts for donating donuts to fire crews working the fire and Todd Fuller of Fuller Excavating for providing the Hye-hoe excavator to remove sections of the house's roof.

The fire is still under investigation.