Fire closes care center

Nine residents of a residential care facility at Broseley were displaced Wednesday after a fire, although owners and staff of Cedar Valley are praising God because their preparations in case of a fire worked.

When the fire alarm was activated Wednesday afternoon, everyone promptly exited the building while waiting for Butler County firefighters to arrive.

The fire appeared to have started in a separate shed or carport area but spread into the nearest corner of the building which includes the kitchen, according to reports. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

Matt and Ciera Mansfield own the center, located at 286 Highway VV, Broseley.

“We thank God he was watching over us,” Ciera Mansfield said Thursday morning. “We are very fortunate; we are very thankful. We were proud of our staff.”

Ciera Mansfield said the possibility of fire always has been one of her concerns.

She praised her staff for caring for the residents.

“They love the people the way I do. That is what they do,” she said.

Fire drills are held two or three times a month, said staff member Jordan Findley, who helped the residents go to the designated safe area.

Manager Christine Hickey joined Findley and the residents at a safe distance to watch the seven Butler County firefighters attack the fire.

The residents cannot stay at Cedar Valley, which is licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, because the rest of the house has smoke and water damage, according to reports. The residents of the boarding home range in age up to the mid-70s. No information was available at press time concerning where the residents had been moved.

A total of seven Butler County firefighters in four trucks used 2,300 gallons of water during the three hours they were at the scene. The Missouri State Fire Marshal also was at the scene, which is common when the fire involves a care facility or boarding home, an official said.