WHITE CO., Ill. - White County Sheriff's Department officials were called to the scene of a fire in Maunie last night, and the owner of the residence has reported a situation that lends to an electrical start of the blaze.
Sheriff Doug Maier reported this morning that Deputy George Spencer was the one called to the scene of the residential fire at 186 Sheridan Street in Maunie last night, Wednesday, February 7 at approximately 8:43 p.m.
Upon arrival, Spencer spoke with William L. Stanley, 69, who is the owner of the Maunie residence, and who was inside the home watching TV when he smelled what he described as 'burnt pine.'
Stanley stated he couldn't locate the cause of the smell anywhere inside the home, but then a short time later, his kitchen lights suddenly went out. Stanley stated he reset the circuit, and the lights came back on. But then he heard a series of 'pops,' and the kitchen lights went off again. At that point, Stanley said, he believed he smelled smoke. So he opened his attic access to check for it, and when he did, he heard a "whoosh" and immediately observed fire and smoke in the attic. He immediately left the residence and called 911 to report the fire.
Spencer was later advised that the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office would be called in to attempt to determine the cause of the fire. Spencer had left the scene at about 10:30 p.m., but at approximately 11:45 p.m., he was called back to the scene to verify that Stanley was taking possession of a number of firearms and cash that had been located inside the residence. That verification, Spencer was advised by Carmi Fire Chief Larry Hite, was being done at the request of the Fire Marshal's office. Spencer observed Stanley remove one rifle and one shotgun from the scene, as well as an unknown amount of cash.
The residence has been taped off, and the Fire Marshal's Office is responding today to investigate the scene.