The Poplar Bluff Fire Department responded to a house fire at 420 Spruce St. at 1:16 p.m. Wednesday. Chief Mike Moffitt was the first on the scene. He stated the house was fully involved upon arrival.
“We were in a defensive position the moment we arrived,” Moffitt recounted.
The structure was on the ground within 15 minutes of the start of firefighting efforts. The heat from the engulfed house melted the vinyl siding of an adjacent structure.
The 1942 home had electric power but was disconnected at the meter. Municipal Utilities shut down the transformer and cut power to the house. The Poplar Bluff Street Department was called in to assist.
The fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal. Moffitt stated the house was vacant and there had been a previous blaze at this property last winter. He confirmed the 2023 fire was also referred to the State Fire Marshal.