MATTOON - Firefighters had to complete a rescue before they saved a house during a fire Sunday afternoon.

"A person was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation," said Mattoon Fire Chief Mike Chism after the fire that occurred at 2:50 p.m. Sunday. "The person was in the living room lying on the floor when the rescue team came in."

Chism declined to identify the fire victim, who was alone in the house at 211 Charleston Ave. The fire started in the home's utility room and caused about $80,000 in smoke and fire damage.

"When the firetrucks arrived, there was light smoke coming from the eaves and chimney. But we were able to knock it down in about five minutes," Chism said.

Damage appeared to be confined to the interior of the house. Snow and ice did not seriously hamper the firefighting effort. Chism said traffic was restricted on Charleston Avenue to help firefighters at the scene.

The cause of the fire is being investigated with the assistance of the Mattoon Police Department. Mattoon Police Chief Larry Metzelaars said it is routine procedure for police officers to assist with fire investigations.

Charleston firefighters were alerted for a Rapid Intervention Team call to the fire scene. Chism said they were called off en route due to the quick knockdown of the flames. The Rapid Intervention Team provides backup between the two fire departments during structure fires, especially any requiring an interior rescue effort.

Chism said the quick response to locate and evacuate the victim shows how repeated training pays off for Mattoon Fire Department.

"We train regularly for these rescues. When we arrive and know we need someone going in, a team is assigned by the captain. He says, 'You guys search and you're on the line,'" Chism said.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.