EFFINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT - NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - JUNE 2007
Fire officials look for cause of blaze at Green Lantern
June 6, 2007Bill Grimes - Effingham Daily News
Tuesday’s fire that destroyed the old Green Lantern between Teutopolis and Effingham started in the center of the first floor, Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy said this morning.
But Holomy added he could not say how the fire started.
“We’re not in a position where we can announce an ignition source,” Holomy said. “We just don’t know yet.”
Effingham firefighters were on the scene of the blaze for more than 12 hours after a passer-by called it in at about 5 a.m. Tuesday.
The Lantern had been built as a home in the 1930s and was converted into a restaurant in the 1940s. It had enjoyed a recent resurgence as a “roadhouse” with karaoke shows and live bands.
Teutopolis firefighters assisted at the scene until about 10:30 a.m., while firefighters from Watson and Shumway manned two Effingham fire stations.
Holomy said investigators from the Illinois State’s Fair Marshal’s Office, as well as Effingham fire and police investigators, questioned the building’s owners, the group operating the roadhouse and several employees Tuesday in an effort to find out how the fire may have started. He added the presence of fire marshal’s investigators should not lead to the conclusion the fire was deliberately set.
“This is routine,” the chief said. “It’s not a red flag or anything.”
Holomy said investigators were checking out persistent rumors one or more people were seen running from the building at the time the fire broke out.
“We’ve heard those rumors, but we haven’t been able to confirm anything yet,” Holomy said.
The chief said all windows and doors were closed and locked when firefighters arrived shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday.
The building was still smoldering this morning.
Holomy said that was because the first floor had collapsed into the basement in a manner that made it impossible for firefighters to reach burning floor joists. The chief added it was possible firefighters would remove the floor with a backhoe in an effort to put out the rest of the fire.
“We’re going to try to wash it all down,” Holomy said. “It’s not going anywhere. It’s just more of a nuisance.”
Holomy also wished to thank Martin’s IGA Plus for providing food for firefighters at the scene Tuesday.