Crews respond to deadly house fire in Cape Girardeau
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded Friday afternoon to a residential first alarm with possible occupants trapped at 211 S. Hanover, officials said.
Fire crews were dispatched at 1:25 p.m. on Nov. 28 and arrived within three minutes to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the first floor of a 1½-story home owned by John Perry. Firefighters immediately initiated a search for potential victims while attempting multiple aggressive interior attacks.
According to the department, deteriorating fire conditions and structural concerns forced crews to withdraw and transition to exterior operations. After several minutes, firefighters were able to re-enter the home and brought the fire under control roughly 40 minutes after arrival.
Two victims were located inside the residence. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and is leading the investigation with assistance from Cape Girardeau fire personnel and the Cape Girardeau Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.
As fire crews continued extended operations, off-duty Cape Girardeau firefighters responded to the scene along with mutual aid from Jackson and Gordonville. Additional mutual-aid units from East County, Fruitland and Scott City backfilled Cape Girardeau fire stations during the incident.
