A Fenton home that had been flooded this spring was heavily damaged by fire Thursday night (June 15).
No one was in the house, at 127 El Jon Drive, said Deputy Chief Joseph LaPlant of the Saline Valley Fire Protection District.
A family of six had lived in the single-story frame house, but it was vacant while repairs were being made following the recent flooding, he said.
“The residents were staying with family while they rehabbed the house,” LaPlant said.
At 10:02 a.m., Saline Valley Fire got a call about the fire, and when firefighters arrived on the scene at 10:06 p.m., heavy flames were through the roof, he said.
Crews used hoses and brought the fire under control in about 90 minutes, LaPlant said.
The last truck left the scene at 3:09 a.m., he said.
The house was severely damaged and the family will not be able to live in the house until it is repaired or rebuilt, LaPlant said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the state Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire, LaPlant said.
Several fire protection districts were called in to help Saline Valley with the fire, he said.
“Anytime we have a fire where temperatures are around 90 and it’s humid, we call for extra manpower to keep them fresh and keep them hydrated,” LaPlant said. “We make it a point to rotate them regularly.”
The Fenton, Rock Community, High Ridge and Mehlville fire protection districts assisted with the call.