Fire destroys house near Jackson winery

Fruitland firefighters were first on the scene of a fire that destroyed a house near the Steele Crest Winery at 2055 State Highway Y near Jackson.

The single-story home had been reduced to a brick shell when firefighters were starting to pack up their equipment at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters responded to the fire report at 1:35 p.m.

Fruitland firefighter Jeremy Laurentius said the majority of the house's interior was on fire when he arrived, and it was shooting out both ends of the attic shortly after. Laurentius said it took firefighters some time to connect water hoses and take it up a long driveway.

"Once you get a big burner like this, you know you're going to need a lot of water," he said.

Eventually the ceiling caved in, and the fire extended into the basement, causing immense damage to the main house floor.

The fire spread to small brush near the house, but Laurentius said that was extinguished quickly. No one was injured.

Firefighters from Cape Girardeau County, Cape Girardeau, Millersville, Gordonville and Jackson responded.

The house is listed as the main address for Steele Crest Winery on the Missouri Business Filing website.

Laurentius said the owner of the property was working outside when the fire started. The owner told firefighters the winery would be open this weekend.

bkleine@semissourian.com

573-388-3644

Pertinent address: 2055 State Highway Y, Jackson Missouri