Molotov cocktail damages home under renovation

A Molotov cocktail and a fire of unknown origins ignited two investigations by the Missouri State Fire Marshal in separate vacant buildings Saturday in Poplar Bluff.

At 1:01 a.m., crews from the three stations of the city fire department responded to a fire at 800 Davis St.

According to Battalion Chief Jeff Hale, the house on Davis street was vacant. Upon arrival, Hale canceled stations 2 and 3 since neighbors stated they had seen the flames and extinguished the fire after calling the department.

Hale found the door had been kicked in and the fire was caused from a Molotov cocktail thrown on the floor. The fire caused minimal damage, according to reports.

Hale contacted the fire marshal and stayed on the scene for two hours with him. The 1,200-square-foot building is undergoing a major renovation.

The second alarm came in at 8:35 a.m. Saturday, reporting a building in the area of Riverview Drive and Pine Boulevard was on fire. The structure was located at 212 S. Riverview Drive.

According to Capt. Steve Burkhead’s report, initial observations showed a single story residential structure with fire appearing to be coming from the rear of the structure and heavy smoke from all sides. The doors were locked and the fire department had to make a forced entry.

As the seven on duty firefighters attacked the fire, a request was made for one callback crew to standby at station three. Municipal Utilities and the state fire marshal also were called.

Firefighters used 2,000 gallons of water on the fire during the two to two and a half hours they were at the scene. The Riverview property is owned by Tabitha Covey, 117 S. B St.