Poplar Bluff firefighters responded at 1:37 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, to a report of possible smoke inside the residence at 903 Cole Ave. and found a fire burning in the wall behind a fireplace.
According to the report, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the residence, owned and occupied by Ruth Richards and occupied by Tim Cogdill, upon their arrival.
Firefighters contacted Cogdill who reported smoke was coming from the wall in a front bedroom.
Firefighters reportedly found fire in the wall cavity behind the chimney for the living room fireplace. Firefighters put out the fire in the fireplace and removed the wall and ceiling around the chimney.
Fire reportedly was found throughout the wall cavity and put out. A positive-pressure ventilation fan was set up by at a door to remove smoke.
Firefighters used a thermal-imaging camera to check for fire extension and subsequently removed additional wall and ceiling to finish putting out the fire.
Firefighters were told the fireplace had been installed a few days prior by Cogdill and had been in use for several days.
Municipal Utilities responded to the scene and disconnected the electric and water to the home.
The Red Cross was contacted to assist Richards.