PARIS, Ill. (WAND) — The Red Cross is assisting an Edgar County resident after their home caught fire early Thursday morning.
According to Paris Fire Chief Zack Janis, firefighters responded to a home in the 300 block of West Edgar Street in Paris around 4:45 a.m.
Crews found light smoke coming from the home when they arrived and began fighting the fire from inside.
Janis said as he arrived on scene, he noticed a "significant hazard" where electrical arcing was happening near the home's gas meter. Ameren was immediately requested to respond due to the dangerous electrical conditions.
Crews forced open a gate to gain access to that side of the house and deployed a second handline to allow for a coordinated dual attack on the fire.
According to Janis, firefighters "aggressively continued extinguishment efforts" once Ameren secured the utilities, and crews were able to save the structure.
"Despite the challenges presented by the active electrical arcing and the proximity of the gas meter, our firefighters remained focused, adapted to changing conditions, and executed the dual-attack strategy flawlessly," Janis said in a Facebook post.
All residents got out of the home safely before firefighters arrived. The American Red Cross is assisting the homeowner.
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