Two people were treated for apparent minor injuries following an early Saturday morning house fire in Centralia.
Centralia City Firefighters say the fire was at the Michael Lawson home at 428 North Locust Street.
When firemen arrived, heavy smoke was showing and flames shooting from the rear. There were initial fears of entrapment, but upon arrival, it was learned all three residents had gotten out safely.
The fire gutted the kitchen and there was heavy smoke and heat damage to the rest of the home.
The owner escaped injury, but two others in the home went to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment. Michelle Donoho of Vandalia, who was visiting, was taken to the hospital via ambulance. She was treated and released for minor smoke inhalation. The second person, David Riley of Centralia, was taken by private vehicle to the hospital to be checked for smoke inhalation.
The fire is believed to have woke the three up at 4:45 Saturday morning. All off duty Centralia City Firemen as well as the Centralia Fire Protection District were called for mutual aid. Sandoval firemen stood by at the station in the event of another fire. Firemen remained on the scene for about two hours.
The fire is believed to be electrical in nature but remains under investigation. Firemen report a new space heater had been purchased and it had caused problems with a breaker. The fire broke out near where the electricity comes into the house.
