Occupants escape house fire Sunday afternoon; investigators determine cause to be accidental

QUINCY — The occupants of 3213 N. College were home when a porch fire started Sunday afternoon and exited the home safely. 

The Quincy Fire Department was dispatched to a porch fire at 4:12 p.m. A press release from the fire department said the first crew arrived on the scene at 4:16 p.m. to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence’s rear. 

An attack line was deployed to the rear of the structure, and the second arriving unit connected a water supply hose to a nearby hydrant. The third arriving unit and incident commander arrived, and an additional attack line was assigned to the rear to extinguish exterior fire in the eves. Crews made entry and achieved a quick knockdown on the fire.

Ameren gas and electric crews were requested to secure utilities. Firefighter crews worked to extinguish the remaining hot spots, but cleanup and the reloading of the hose was delayed due to a thunderstorm. The QFD Volunteer Rehab team and Adams County Ambulance Service also responded and stood by during firefighting operations.

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries. The structure sustained heavy fire damage to the rear quarter of the residence and smoke damage throughout.

Ten firefighters from two engines, one quint and one command vehicle were at the scene. 

The fire was determined to be accidental caused by the use of an open flame in close proximity to combustible materials.