Two people were able to escape a two-alarm house fire early March 26 in the 300 block of Church Street in Hematite that required 13 firefighting agencies to put out, Hematite Fire Protection District Lt. John Chartrand said.
Hematite Fire was dispatched at about 3:15 a.m. with the first truck arriving at 3:24 a.m. The home was fully aflame when firefighters arrived, said Chartrand, who is the district’s public information officer.
A man and a woman who were inside the home were able to escape the blaze before firefighters arrived. Neither resident required medical attention, Chartrand said.
The fire was under control at about 7 a.m. Siding on a neighboring house sustained minor damage because of the heat, and a PT Cruiser parked in the street also was damaged by heat, Chartrand said.
The home was a “total loss,” he said.
Jefferson R-7, Mapaville and Hillsboro fire protection districts, and the Festus and Crystal City fire departments responded to the first alarm to assist Hematite Fire, Chartrand said.
Dunklin, Goldman, Rock Community, Cedar Hill and De Soto Rural fire protection districts along with the Herculaneum and De Soto fire departments responded to the second alarm to provide more water pumpers and firefighters, Chartrand said.
“We had tankers from surrounding districts running water supply because there is limited fire hydrant access in the area,” Chartrand said.
Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District also was called to assist, he said.
Chartrand said railroad companies were advised to proceed with caution on the tracks near Meyer Road and Hwy. P during the fire.
He said the cause of the fire was unknown, but arson is not suspected and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.
The Red Cross was called to provide assistance to the residents, if needed, Chartrand said.