Firefighter's home destroyed by blaze

A late morning fire Tuesday in Jackson gutted the home of a Cape Girardeau firefighter and his family.

At 11:22 a.m., Jackson firefighters received a report of a house fire at 3535 Ridge Road, according to Jackson fire chief Jason Mouser. When firefighters arrived on the scene the two-story home was engulfed, Mouser said.

By noon firefighters had contained the blaze at the home of Capt. Jeff Crites.

Mouser, who wouldn't identify Crites at the scene, said the firefighter and his wife were at home when the fire started and escaped without injury. The couple's children were at school at the time of the fire. While the family's dog survived, two cats trapped inside the home died.

Mouser believes the fire started in the back of the home.

Mouser said the family is coping as well as possible considering the circumstances.

"This can happen to anyone, but it's harder when a fellow firefighter was inside," Mouser said.

Pertinent address:

3535 Ridge Road, Jackson, MO