Cold causes havoc for crews fighting blaze in Scott County

BLODGETT, Mo. -- The Scott County Rural Fire Department battled a house fire two miles south of Blodgett on Sunday night during brutal temperatures that caused mechanical difficulties.

Crews received the call at 7:45 p.m. and arrived to the two-story wooden structure 25 percent involved.

"Between wind, temperatures and icy road conditions, the home became fully involved within minutes," said fire chief Jeremy Perrien.

According to Perrien, the home was a total loss.

"It was horrible," said Perrien, who added that the fire was difficult to fight with the low temperatures and 20-mile-per-hour winds.

Because of the frigid temperature, the fire trucks froze up and crews had to continuously recirculate pumps and place turbo heaters under the trucks to keep them from freezing.

The home was on Estate Drive and the fire was caused by an unattended burning candle. All family members and animals in the home escaped without injury, according to Perrien.

Pertinent address:

Blodgett, Mo.