House Springs resident dies in apartment fire

A resident of the House Springs Apartments on Spring Creek Road died this morning (May 28) in a fire, High Ridge Fire Protection District Engineer John Barton said. He said he did not know the resident’s age range or gender. Barton said crews were dispatched to the apartments at 1:15 a.m. after someone reported seeing smoke in the hallway of the building. Crews arrived on the scene at 1:22 a.m., and most residents had evacuated the building, but firefighters were informed that one resident had not made it out. Barton said firefighters found the victim within four minutes, but the person was pronounced dead at the scene. He said the state Fire Marshal's Office and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fire. The Sheriff's Office fire investigator said the fire does not appear suspicious, according to Grant Bissell, a Sheriff's Office spokesman. Barton said the victim's apartment was damaged by the fire, and seven nearby apartments had heavy smoke damage.
Leader Publications

Three safe following water rescue in North Kansas City

VIDEO: Three people are safe after a water rescue in the woods near 26th and Vernon in North Kansas City on Thursday. KCTV5 News was told one of three managed to swim and then go to nearby neighborhood to call 911 for help. Rescue crews waded back to the spot in the woods where two others were surrounded by high water. They brought life jackets and helped guide them out safely. They may have been camping in the woods when heavy downpours caused flash flooding. “When it is raining like it has been, if you are near any bodies of water, be aware they can rise really quickly,” said Chief Dave Hargis with the North Kansas City Fire Department “Your best bet, when it is raining like that, is find some higher ground.” “They were back in a wooded area that, normally, if no one had known they were there we wouldn’t have been able to find them,” added Hargis.
KCTV-TV CBS 5 Kansas City

Monroe City Fire Department responds to fire at Pfanner’s Trailer Park

The Monroe City Fire Department was dispatched to Easy Street, located in Pfanner’s Trailer Park, at approximately 2:43 a.m. for a vehicle fire. A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, noticed the fire and called 911. Fire Chief Rich Enochs stated, “Upon arrival fire was coming from the front half of the truck. The engine compartment was fully involved upon arrival and moved quickly to the cab area to where fire extinguished the truck.” No one was injured in the incident.
Lake Gazette

Fort Leonard Wood firefighters combat tractor-trailer blaze down I-44 embankment

The Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department was one of five area departments responding Wednesday afternoon after a multi-vehicle crash resulted in a tractor-trailer fire at the bottom of a steep embankment and a missing driver along the westbound lane of Interstate 44 near the 159-mile marker. The St. Robert Fire Department first reported the incident at 2:10 p.m., with installation firefighters automatically responding as part of the department’s Highway Response Plan, according to Fort Leonard Wood Fire Chief Brad Bowling. “The initial units on the scene found the tractor-trailer had gone through the barricades and down an embankment,” Bowling said. “Our engine tanker and heavy-rescue (tanker) responded, along with the St. Robert Fire Department and the Waynesville Fire Department.”
Fort Leonard Wood Guidon

Jefferson City firefighters respond to house fire

Jefferson City firefighters responded to a residential fire near Hough Park late Wednesday night. The Jefferson City Fire Department said crews were called to a residence in the 2400 block of Parkcrest Drive around 8:30 p.m. Assistant fire chief Jay Niemeyer said firefighters reported smoke coming from the front door of the residence when crews arrived. He added a resident had evacuated the house. The smoke was caused by a fire that started in the garage, according to a release from the fire department. Niemeyer said it wasn't known what caused the flames when the release was sent out just before midnight. Firefighters said there was significant fire damage to the garage and smoke damage throughout the residence. Crews stayed at the scene until about 10:30 p.m. to clear smoke out of the home.
KMIZ-TV ABC 17 Columbia

Lexington, Higginsville to provide ambulance service to rural Mayview

Starting June 1, rural residents of Mayview will receive emergency medical services through the cities of Higginsville and Lexington. Higginsville already provides ambulance service to the town of Mayview. Higginsville City Administrator Jeanette Dobson said the Mayview fire district approached Lexington and Higginsville to cover the rural area, after they were notified last May that Odessa Fire and Rescue Protection District would discontinue EMS services on June 1 of this year. The agreement was approved by both councils earlier this month. Dobson said the average number of calls of per year for that area is around 30. “I just felt – and so did Lexington – to leave those people without coverage was not right,” Dobson told KMZU.
KMZU-FM 100.7

Rescue team saves teen trapped on small Bull Creek island in Taney County

A teenager trapped on an island in Bull Creek due to swift currents and rising water levels was safely rescued on May 25 by the Western Taney County Technical Rescue Team. Western Taney County Assistant Fire Chief Jim Single report that at approximately 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, the rescue team was dispatched to Bull Creek at the end of Elizabeth Drive on report of a 14-year old male stuck an island in the middle of the creek with water rising. Single said that the teenager had been kayaking, when his kayak tipped over and he became trapped on the island. “I believe it was his mother that was with him. She was able to get to shore and she went for help. Water was rising, but it hadn’t covered the island. By the time we got there he was still safe on the island. The water hadn’t risen to cover the island before we got him off,” said Single. “We were able to send a couple of swimmers to the island, set up a rope system and be able to bring him back safe to shore.”
Branson Tri-Lake News

Proposition Fire to Be on June Ballot; 27-Cent Tax Increase to aid Pacific Fire Protection District

Pacific Fire Protection Department firefighters will ask voters June 2 for a tax increase for the first time since 2004. Prop Fire/F is a 27-cent increase collected on property taxes. Franklin and Jefferson County voters will see this issue on the ballot as Proposition Fire, while the 15 St. Louis County voters served by the fire district will see it as Prop F. The Pacific Fire Protection District provides services to approximately 15,000 citizens and covers 78 square miles encompassing Pacific, Catawissa and Robertsville, as well as other unincorporated portions of Franklin, Jefferson and St. Louis counties. The district employs 15 full-time firefighters, three chief officers, and one secretary anchored from two 24/7 engine houses and one reserve engine house.
eMissourian

Follow Up: Two juvenile suspects detained in connection to Dollar General fire in Columbia

Two 16-year-olds are being held on arson charges in connection to a May 11 fire at the Flanders Court Dollar General in Columbia. According to a release, the loss for the fire is estimated to be $600,000, with $350,000 in contents lost and $250,000 for the structure. At the time of the fire, the business was open, but there were no injuries. The two suspects were released to the juvenile authorities, according to the release.
KOMU-TV NBC 8 Columbia

Missouri parkgoers urged to protect nature, prevent wildfires while enjoying the outdoors

Whether you’re on public land or in your own backyard, time outdoors has never felt more valuable. Wildfire prevention program manager Maureen Brooks says everyone has a role in keeping our safe places safe. She encourages parkgoers to find a local park or trail that offers enough space for social distancing. Brooks says roughly 9 out of 10 wildfires are started by humans and can be prevented. Check for burn bans before starting a fire or burning yard waste at home. If your local regulations allow for campfires, remember to never leave them unattended. Brooks says to always plan ahead. “If they’re camping or boating, and they might be pulling a trailer, one good tip is to be careful how those chains are crossed so that they don’t spark and cause a wildfire,” Brooks said.
KSFX/KOLR-TV FOX 27 Ozarks First