Fire damages vacant home in Cape Girardeau

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire early Wednesday at a vacant home in Cape Girardeau, officials said.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department was dispatched at 6:22 a.m. Jan. 28 to a reported fire at 256 S. Benton Ave. Initial reports indicated flames and heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the two-story structure.

Crews arriving on scene confirmed a working fire on the second floor and initiated an aggressive interior attack. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, though overhaul operations continued for approximately two hours.

Officials said the building was believed to be vacant. No injuries were reported.

The fire was determined to be accidental. Investigators said the structure has experienced two other recent fires, all believed to have been started by squatters attempting to stay warm. The building does not have utilities, and multiple auxiliary heating devices were found inside.

Fire crews were assisted by the Jackson and Gordonville fire departments. East County and Fruitland fire districts provided station coverage during the response.

Related links: Cape Girardeau firefighters contain blaze at unoccupied home – KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News