A fire destroyed a home in the 13700 block of Vineland Road south of De Soto early this morning, Sept. 18, De Soto Rural Fire Chief Tom Fitzgerald said.
He said a neighbor reported the fire, and firefighters arrived at about 3:30 a.m. He said the fire was under control at 4:08 a.m., and the scene was cleared at about 8 a.m.
Fitzgerald said two adults and five children, who are between 19 months and 15 years old, lived at the home. However, no one was home when the blaze started, and firefighters did not find anyone in the house.
He also said as of this afternoon, the family’s cat and dog were missing, and a firefighter was transported to Mercy Jefferson Hospital in Crystal City to be treated for minor injuries.
Fitzgerald said the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire and a cause had not been determined. He said the fire did start at the front of the home.
He said the De Soto Fire Department and Hillsboro, Hematite, Jefferson R-7, St. Clair, Mapaville, Goldman and Potosi fire protection districts assisted, and the Valle Ambulance District also responded to the home.
The Festus Fire Department and Pacific and Big River fire protection districts assisted with the district’s other calls, Fitzgerald said.