Kennett fire sends parents to hospital; Children released after blaze

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

KENNETT, Mo., (KBSI) — Firefighters in Kennett responded to a structure fire on Sept. 20 that left two adults hospitalized and three children briefly treated for injuries.

The Kennett Fire Department said crews were dispatched to a home where occupants were initially reported to be trapped. Dispatchers later advised that all residents had made it out safely before firefighters arrived.

Five family members were found outside the home. Emergency medical crews provided immediate care. One adult was flown to Region One Medical Center by Survival Flight 2, and another was flown there by Air Evac. Their three children were taken by Medic One to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Ark., and have since been released. Both parents remain hospitalized at Region One.

Seventeen firefighters responded and remained on the scene for about five hours. Crews also rescued a family dog, which was treated for smoke inhalation and placed in the care of the Kennett Humane Department until it can be reunited with the family.

The department credited three bystanders — Baylee Wilcut, Brianna Wilcut and Shanda Parker — for assisting the family and helping care for the children while firefighters treated the parents.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.