Structure fire awakens tenant from nap

A Poplar Bluff resident suffered minor injuries in a structure fire Wednesday at 608 W. Victor St., but refused treatment at the scene. The fire will be investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal.

Firefighters arrived shortly before noon to find one of the tenants in the front yard with heavy smoke and fire coming from the door and window openings at the rear of the house, said Battalion Chief Kevin Edgar in his report.

The tenant Patricia Faulkner, 36, explained she was home alone and asleep, when she was awakened to a fire in a room near her bed. She tried to put the fire out but soon realized she could not and exited through the front of the home.

Edgar’s report stated Faulkner was seen by Butler County EMS at the scene but refused care. She had minor burns to a small area on her leg and a small spot on her hand, received while trying to pat out the fire with an object.

The fire crews quickly knocked down the fire exiting the two windows before entering from the other side of the house to extinguish the remaining fire and hot spots. Edgar’s report said the fire appeared to start in the cooking area.

The 940-square-foot structure was one story and the seven firefighters used 600 gallons of water to put out the fire. They spent nearly two hours are the scene. They used the thermal imaging camera to make certain the fire was out and ventilation was set up.

Municipal Utilities responded and disconnected the power and water to the home. The Poplar Bluff police and inspections department also were at the scene. The gas company was contacted.

The other tenant is Robert Martin and the building owner is Greg West.