Effingham Fire Department battles overnight furniture store fire

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Effingham Fire Department responded to a furniture and home improvement store Sunday night after it caught fire.

The fire happened at Bob’s Discount, 1905 South Banker Street. Chief Brant Yochum said the department got the call at 10:16 p.m. after the building’s fire alarm activated. When crews arrived, they saw smoke through the front windows.

Yochum said the building’s sprinkler system prevented it from growing in size. Damage from smoke and water was estimated to cost $100,000, but fire damage was significantly limited.

“This incident underscores the critical importance of having a functional sprinkler and alarm system in businesses,” Yochum said. “These systems not only provide early detection and suppression, preventing potentially catastrophic damage, but they also help protect the safety of occupants and responding firefighters.”

Firefighters used two water extinguishers to put out what was left of the fire. They remained on the scene for over an hour after to ventilate the building.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an accident.

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