Fire damages three homes in Howardville

HOWARDVILLE, Mo. -- Three New Madrid County families are recovering after a fire damaged their homes early Wednesday.

At 2:58 a.m. Wednesday, the Lilbourn Fire Department responded to County Road 506 in Howardville, where a home was engulfed in flames, said Lilbourn firefighter Anthony Roberts.

"The initial fire started at one home, and there were several homes in a group," Roberts said. "The original home we received the call on was fully engulfed by the time the officers got on scene, and the fire jumped to the house next door."

The resident of the first home was at work, so no one was home. The three children and two adults in the second home got out safely, Roberts said.

"The fire had started to jump the other way and melted the siding of the third home," Roberts said, adding the one resident of the third home got out safely.

The first two homes were total losses, the firefighter said.

The first firetruck was on the scene until 5:45 a.m., when officers got a second truck, which stayed until about 7:30 a.m. to put out hot spots, Roberts said. No one was injured, and no foul play is suspected, he said.

"It appears accidental, and the fire marshal will not come down to investigate," Roberts said.