ENFIELD HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE; THREE FIREFIGHTERS TREATED FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION

A two-story home was destroyed by fire Tuesday evening in Enfield, and three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion while battling the blaze. The fire was reported at about 5 p.m. after a passerby noticed smoke coming from the home at the corner of Main and Jeannette streets and alerted firefighters. By the time crews arrived, flames had already broken through the roof. Due to the size of the fire and extreme heat, additional departments were called in through mutual aid. Three firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital, where the individual was treated and later released. The Fairfield Rural Fire Department responded with a tanker truck, while additional personnel and equipment were provided by the Carmi, McLeansboro, and Norris City fire departments. Carmi also deployed its ladder truck to assist with firefighting efforts. Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately three hours. Residents of the community brought cold water and wet towels to firefighters working in the intense heat. The home was declared a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.