2 die in Sikeston house fire
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Two people died after a house fire early Sunday morning. Investigators say they believe a car battery is to blame.
“It was around 3:15 in the morning we got called out to a structure fire in the 700 block of Hickory,” said Dalton Hunsaker, a sergeant for the Sikeston Fire Division. He says the home burned for nearly four hours to what they believe was due to a car charger left on overnight.
“Try not to keep batteries hooked up overnight,” said Hunsaker. “If you are going to have batteries on the charger, or any type of charger, try to do it in a time of day and keep an eye on it.”
Public Information Officer Tyler Rowe with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety says after the flames were contained, search and rescue workers began their work.
“As they were doing their search and extinguishment, they did locate two deceased bodies inside,” said Rowe.
Sergeant Hunsaker says it appeared the couple tried to escape but were unable to get to safety.
Sergeant Rowe adds that general fire safety rules are extended to everyone.
“Best thing sometimes is to have an evacuation plan in any house,” said Rowe. “You don’t want to get caught inside a house full of smoke, I’ll kind of go back to those great school rules of stay low and find the nearest exit and get out as quick as you can.”
Sikeston DPS says they asked for the assistance of the Missouri State Fire Marshall to use every resource they have to confirm the cause and source of this fire.
