Additional crews called to three-alarm fire at DeGaris home

An additional shift of firefighters was called in to extinguish a three-alarm structure fire Saturday. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the blaze, which severely damaged the home of a late policeman and civic leader.

Firefighters responded at noon to 1508 Vine St. The home belonged to Lisa DeGaris, widow of the late Ed DeGaris, a city councilman and retired Poplar Bluff police officer. Crews spent three hours and 47 minutes fighting the fire, which caused “heavy and extreme damage” to the two-story home, according to a report by Acting Battalion Chief Justin Maddock.

Maddock’s report stated firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the roof when they arrived. They were met by the home’s occupants, who confirmed everyone was out of the home. The origin of the fire appeared to begin in the vacant attic and crawlspace.

Crews used extension ladders to access both the gable-end vent and the side of the structure, venting the roof and attacking the fire from two angles. An off-duty shift was called back to assist, and one crew stood by to run additional calls. Remaining personnel went to the fire scene.

Municipal Utilities was on the scene when crews arrived. Spire Gas arrived and shut off the gas supply to the residence.

The firefighters at the scene were Maddock, Dustin Graves, James Watson, Cameron Rose, Travis Taylor, Jeremy Downing, Joshua Buhler, Mykel Limanen, Austin Armes and Chad Bell.