A home east of Mt. Vernon has been destroyed by fire.
The Jefferson Fire Protection District says the original fire was confined to the dining room and part of the attic, but a second fire that was discovered early Thursday morning destroyed the rest of the home.
The residence was located on Illinois Route 142 three miles east of Mt. Vernon. Those home at the time of the first fire were able to get out safely. The names of the owners are not yet contained on reports.
The cause of the fires remain under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Firemen say when they arrived at the house fire for the second time it was fully involved in flames. The fire went through the roof and the entire single story structure was gutted. No one was at the home when the second fire was discovered at 12:30 Thursday morning.
Kell, Bluford, Mt. Vernon City and Waltonville Firemen all provided mutual aid on the scene, while Benton Firemen provided coverage of the Jefferson Fire Protection District station. Jefferson Rural Firemen say they were hampered in fighting the fire by getting enough water to the scene. They were on the scene of the second fire until around four Thursday morning.
