Family loses Christmas presents in Monday fire

A suspected electrical fire Monday night at a Cape Girardeau home may have ruined one family's Christmas.

Eric Gardner said they had just gotten home to 815 S. Benton St., where he'd been staying, and had been there about five minutes when the lights went out suddenly.

He went down to the basement to check the fuse box when he heard a scream come from upstairs.

A fire had started in an electrical outlet in the bedroom of a teenager who lived in the house, Gardner said.

Firefighters received the call around 5 p.m., said Capt. Jeff Crites of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

When firefighters arrived, they had to knock holes in the ceiling and one wall to get at the fire, Crites said.

No one was injured in the blaze, which only took about 10 minutes to put out, Crites said.

The Gardner family huddled on the sidewalk and watched as firefighters worked on the house.

"We don't even have relatives nearby," said Veronica Gardner, who rents the apartment.

She said they moved to the area recently from St. Louis.

"I just got the kids some toys and clothes for Christmas," she said.

The gifts were in the upstairs bedroom that suffered the most damage, Veronica Gardner said.

The family would be able to receive a voucher for a motel from the Salvation Army, Crites said, so they had a place to stay Monday night, provided no one had any outstanding warrants for arrest.

Veronica Gardner said she frequently has problems with the electricity in the house.

The building suffered moderate damage on the second floor from flames and smoke, Crites said.

There may have been some considerable water damage on the first floor, he said.

The family may be allowed back in the house today to see how much of their belongings can be salvaged, Crites said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635

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