Cape Girardeau County house fire may have been started by burning rubbish

Crews with the East County Fire Protection District and the Jackson Fire Department were the first on scene to battle a house fire at 325 County Road 606 in Cape Girardeau County on Wednesday. Firefighters responded to the more than 50-year-old residence just before 1 p.m. Windy conditions made fighting the fire more difficult, as winds continually fanned the flames. The son of property owner Leola Richardson, in her 70s, said he was burning boxes in the home's backyard early Wednesday morning, which he thought may have caused the house to catch fire. Richardson was not injured. Her son said he thought the fire had been out when he left the residence Wednesday morning. A no-burn order remains in effect in Cape Girardeau County. Gordonville and Fruitland fire departments also responded to the fire. The additional crews were monitoring a stretch of land east of home, as the wind was still blowing around 1:45 p.m. Capt. Debbie Maupin said they saved part of the structure but the home is a total loss for the family.