Fire districts respond to house fire on Route U in Cape Girardeau County

Five fire departments responded to a house fire on Route U in Cape Girardeau County Sunday night, a blaze that started while the family was away at church services.

According to a news release issued by John Sachen, Hazmat officer/instructor with the Delta Fire Protection District, the house was 30 percent involved when the first fire units arrived.

When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof, Whitewater fire chief Garry Moore said. "We knew we were going to have a battle on our hands," he said.

Moore said the home was owned by Fred Kight. Moore said the house was destroyed. He said he thought the fire started in the chimney somewhere in the attic area. He said the family had relatives nearby who were helping out.

Pumpers, tankers and firefighters responded from Whitewater, Delta, Millersville and Leopold, and an air supply unit responded from Gordonville. The fire occurred near the Route A intersection on Route U.

Pertinent address:

Whitewater, Mo.