Woman safe after fire search and rescue

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire at 908 Delano St. Wednesday morning, where Poplar Bluff firefighters thought one of two occupants was trapped. A total of 18 firefighters responded to the scene.

Capt. Chad Bell’s report stated firefighters were dispatched shortly before 6:30 a.m. to the south Poplar Bluff address, where one of the occupants, William King, reported occupant Heaven Herron was still inside the house.

Fire personnel went into rescue mode searching for the victim, Bell said.

The crews pulled a cross-lay, which is a hose allowing for the rapid deployment for quick and easy access. They were using a chainsaw to start an access hole to search for the victim when Herron came walking up the street.

According to Bell’s report, Herron’s arrival allowed fire personnel to switch to a defense mode to start extinguishing the fire. Once the fire was out, the crews moved on to salvage and overhaul.

Firefighters used 2,200 gallons of water to put out the fire to the 1,000 square feet structure owned by John and Kenneth Murphy. The building was heavily damaged, the report said.

The crews used a thermal imaging camera to make certain the fire was out and ventilation to rid the building of smoke.

Herron was given blankets to stay warm while she set in a fire department support vehicle until the fire marshal arrived. Red Cross was contacted for Herron.

Also at the scene was the Poplar Bluff Police and code enforcement, Municipal Utilities and Butler County EMS.