Fire destroys home of New Madrid firefighter; nearby departments assist
Posted: 11:29 AM CST, January 16, 2025
Updated: 9:43 PM CST, January 16, 2025
NEW MADRID, Mo., (KBSI) — Firefighters from Portageville and Lilbourn responded to a house fire on Davis Street in New Madrid on Wednesday.
The call came in around 9:18 a.m. and crews arrived to find a single-story home fully engulfed in flames.
The home belongs to New Madrid firefighter Jim Russell and his wife Debbie. Portageville Fire offered condolences to the Russell family.
Portageville and Lilbourn firefighters assisted New Madrid crews in battling the blaze, and Portageville units cleared the scene by 12:30 p.m.
New Madrid Mayor Nick White said the home was ablaze Wednesday morning while the Russells were gone. Jim was having a knee replacement surgery.
“Miss Debbie was on her way to pick up Jim from the hospital and literally got the phone call that her home was fully involved,” he said.
The Russells’ daughter, Leslie Sutton, told FOX23 that her parents are staying with family members while Jim recovers.
White said Jim and Debbie have served in the community for many years.
“They would give you anything of theirs and never expect anything in return,” he said.
Both Jim and Debbie are retired teachers and have continued to serve the community in other ways. At the New Madrid Public Safety Center Jim is a volunteer firefighter.
Fire Chief Shane Grissom said Jim is consistently one of their most active volunteers and they want to give back to him and his family.
“This Saturday from 5 to 8 here at the New Madrid Department of Public Safety, we’re having a fish fry,” he said. “You can eat here or get a plate to go. All of the fish and sides were donated so everything that we bring in will be profit and go straight to the family.”
