BLAZE DESTROYS HOME SOUTH OF CAPE

Firefighters from five departments were called out just after noon Tuesday to battle a blaze that destroyed a house south of Cape Girardeau.

The two-story house at 4240 Highway 74 was 50 percent involved when the first firefighters arrived, said Gordonville Fire Chief Roger English.

The owner, Shawn Mitchell, said he had been inside painting and had gone outside for fresh air when the fire broke out.

Mitchell said his car keys were locked in his car and he had to break out the driver's side window to move his car from the house.

English said two large explosions occurred after firefighters arrived. Other departments providing mutual aid were Delta, Whitewater, East County and Cape Girardeau.

Thirty-five firefighters and 11 trucks were used and were successful in keeping the fire from spreading to a storage building.

The house reportedly was more than 100 years old.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by State Fire Marshal Butch Amann.