FIVE LOSE BELONGINGS IN DUPLEX FIRE

Bill Dushell shivered in his truck as he watched his home burn to the ground Monday morning just off County Road 635 on Welch Pass.

A few moments before making it to his truck, the 23-year-old Dushell awoke to find his home filled with smoke and flames. He quickly put on jeans and fled his half of the burning duplex without shoes, a shirt or coat. He then called 911 on his cellular phone at about 9:45 a.m.

Dushell, the only tenant of the duplex who was at home, was taken by family members to Southeast Missouri Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. He was released around noon.

Dushell, his girlfriend and a roommate lost everything in the blaze.

The tenants in the other half of the duplex, newlyweds Kevin and Becky Thompson, were trying to salvage smoke- and water-damaged furniture Monday afternoon. Most of their belongings also were destroyed.

Robin Fornkohl, the assistant chief of the East County Fire Protection District, said Dushell was lucky he wasn't seriously injured.

"We're glad Bill got out OK," Fornkohl said.

All of the tenants had places to stay thanks to family and friends.

Fornkohl said the source of the fire that started in Dushell's bedroom is still a mystery. "But we're finished with our investigation," he said.

Firefighters from East County, Fruitland, Jackson and Cape Girardeau were at the duplex for almost four hours. The air van from the Cape Girardeau County Firefighters Association and a disaster services team with the Salvation Army also responded to the scene.

The cold and wind made firefighting difficult, Fornkohl said.

"The fire spread faster with the wind and the cold caused the pumps to freeze up and water to freeze in the lines."

The owners of the duplex, John and Jeanette Welch, were unavailable for comment.