AFTERNOON FIRE GUTS SOUTH PACIFIC HOME; INVESTIGATION HELD TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF RESIDENTIAL FIRE

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of a residential fire at 411 S. Pacific Monday. The blaze caused extensive damage to a rear bedroom and upstairs area of the house.

Assistant Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Paul Kesterson said the back bedroom and upstairs of the 1 story, wood frame structure were fully involved in smoke and flame when firefighters arrived.

"We didn't have any problem finding the fire," said Kesterson.

He said the back bedroom and upstairs were gutted. There was water and smoke damage to the rest of the first floor.

Kesterson said no one was at home at the time. "The owner of the house (Creasie Moore) said she had been gone all afternoon," the chief said. "The fire started in the back bedroom and spread to a nearby staircase to the upstairs area. We're trying to determine the cause of the fire at this time."

Kesterson praised firefighters for bringing the fire quickly under control under adverse conditions.

"I was really impressed the way they knocked it down so quickly," said Kesterson. "The fire had a good head start on them. It had already spread from the bedroom to the upstairs area when we arrived."

Kesterson said the intense afternoon heat was also a factor. The 4 p.m. airport temperature was 98 degrees, with a heat index of nearly 110 degrees. "It was a hot fire," he said. "Inside and out. It really drained the men."

But Kesterson said none of the firefighters suffered heatrelated injuries.

The fire was reported by a neighbor at 3:51 p.m. Three fire trucks and 12 firefighters from Fire Station One and Two responded to the alarm.

The Salvation Army mobile canteen arrived after the fire was out and provided water for the firefighters. Later, army personnel served an evening meal to the firefighters while the cleanup work was in progress.

Kesterson said firefighters always look forward to the arrival of the Salvation Army when a major fire occurs.

"We really appreciate them doing all of this," said Kesterson, "It's always nice to see the Salvation Army canteen arrive."