Highway 34 fire was accidentally started, fire chief says

Children accidentally started a house fire Thursday in the 8000 block of Highway 34, fire officials said.

Reports of a fire at the ranch-style residence were called in at about 7 p.m. Thursday, and firefighters from four departments battled the blaze for three hours before it was fully extinguished, said Millersville Fire Chief John Haimes. The fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived and Haimes said the house was a loss.

One member of the family suffered minor injuries to his arm, but it happened when he broke out the window to get to a phone to report the fire, Haimes said. Haimes said one or more young family members accidentally started the fire.

When asked if the child had been playing with matches, Haimes said, "yeah, it was something like that," though he said details were not yet known.

Pertinent address:

8000 Highway 34, Cape Girardeau County