The cause of a fire shortly after midnight Sunday, Dec. 24, at 818 Ash St. is being investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal since firefighters located what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail at the scene.
According to Capt. Jonathan Miller’s report, seven Poplar Bluff firefighters responded to the reported structure fire, but no smoke or flames were showing from the street when they arrived. Upon further inspection, a firefighter located a corner where the siding was smoldering and melted. Crews tore through the layers of the siding to ensure the fire had not spread into the wall. They used the booster reel and 15 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. The thermal imaging camera was used to make certain the fire was out.
After putting out the fire, they located a broken bottle which appeared to be a Molotov cocktail. Someone at the scene said an acquaintance of the family had made threats.
One of the fire crews stayed at the scene for about three hours. Poplar Bluff police also were at the scene.