Theodosia fire marks third house fire in Ozark County in two weeks
photo submitted This home on Reid Drive in Theodosia was a complete loss after a fire in an outbuilding spread to a wall of the main structure and then into the home’s attic on Dec. 3. The homeowners were inside the home when the fire was spotted and called the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department dispatch office to report the blaze. Theodosia, Gainesville and Pontiac VFDs responded.
At 8:39 a.m. last Wednesday, Dec. 4, the Theodosia Volunteer Fire Department was toned out to a structure fire on Reid Lane, located behind the fire department in the Theodosia city limits.
The homeowners, whose names are not known by the Times, awoke that morning, noticed a fire and called 911.
TAVFD Cpt. Craig Mierkowski told the Times that the homeowners did what they could to extinguish the flames before emergency responders arrived.
“The first unit on the scene reported heavy fire on the west side of the building with fire rapidly moving across the attic space,” Mierkowski said. The fire moved across the attic space where it spread quickly and took over the home. “Fires love attics,” Mierkowski said.
The Gainesville and Pontiac Volunteer Fire Departments responded in mutual aid, but despite the efforts of the departments the home was a total loss. “We are so thankful for the cooperation of other departments in mutual aid. It’s essential for us in these rural departments,” he said.
One person sustained minor burns and was treated at the scene. The Ozark County Ambulance, White River Electric Company, Red Cross and Tailgate Ministries all also responded in aid.
Mierkowski said the occupants, a man, his wife and son, had “nothing but the clothes on their backs,” after the blaze consumed the structure and all its contents. He described them as “the nicest people in the world.” Theodosia Village Hall is currently accepting donations of furniture, clothing and household items for the family during open hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. To find out more, call Village Hall at 417-273-4830.
The fire marshal’s office was called, and an investigator determined that the blaze originated in an outbuilding that was near the residence, which the homeowners used to keep their pets out of the cold. “The investigator was not able to eliminate the heat lamp and heating pad that were on at the time of the fire as causes of the fire,” said Mike O’Connell with the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
The fire marked the third residence that had been lost to fire in two weeks time in Ozark County. Mierkowski said to avoid fires, homeowners should be careful not to overload power strips, watch for recalls or safety issues with space heaters and have their chimneys and fireplaces professionally cleaned each year.