A morning fire caused substantial damage to a Du Quoin home Tuesday, although no one was injured.
Firefighters arrived around 9 a.m. Tuesday at 118 E. Roosevelt Ave., where a fire had broken out in the kitchen.
Firefighters from Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Benton, Tamaroa and other communities subdued the fire shortly after arriving. Most of the damage visible from the exterior was to the east-facing roof line of the single-story home.
Fire Chief Bob Shaw said the structure was home to several people, including five children. No one was home at the time of the fire, which Shaw said will remain under investigation.
"It started in the kitchen," he said. "We're just not sure how it started."
Shaw said that while the home had multiple smoke detectors, none of them were in working order. He stressed the importance of keeping detectors stocked with fresh batteries, adding that anyone who needs help obtaining or installing a detector can contact the fire department for assistance.
"We'll even install it," Shaw said.
