Fire destroys Spanish Street house

Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed a house early Friday morning on North Spanish Street.

No one was injured in the blaze, which occurred while no one was home, said battalion chief Mark Starnes of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

The cause of the fire was under investigation Friday afternoon, Starnes said.

"The state fire marshal's office, along with our department, is still investigating it," he said. "I believe they're calling it a complete loss."

Firefighters were dispatched to 1200 N. Spanish St. just after 1 a.m. Friday, according to a news release by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

By the time firefighters arrived, the house -- which was undergoing remodeling -- was 50 percent involved, with heavy fire coming through the roof, and a vehicle behind the house also was burning, the release stated.

A neighboring house also had minor damage, the release stated.

Firefighters spent about 20 minutes bringing the blaze under control, the department reported, with Scott City and Jackson firefighters covering the rest of the city.

Starnes said the cause of the fire remained unknown Friday afternoon.

Darin Hickey, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said no one is custody, but the fire is being investigated as a possible arson.

After the fire was out, the person who lived in the home -- which was not insured -- was allowed back inside to recover some possessions, Starnes said.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1200 N. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO