House burns on North Benton Street in Cape Girardeau

A woman and a child escaped a fire that started Friday afternoon on North Benton Street.

The situation was contained shortly after firefighters arrived on the scene at 1:09 p.m. Capt. Ray Warner of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said the blaze was under control by 1:15.

Battalion chief Brad Dillow said the fire started as the woman was cooking in the kitchen downstairs. A grease fire erupted, and the woman tried to put it out, but it "kind of got out of control," Dillow said. The woman then grabbed the child, called 911 and got out of the house.

Cape Girardeau firefighters attack a house fire Friday afternoon at 27 North Benton Street in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Dillow said there was smoke damage throughout the structure, which consists of two apartments, and moderate fire damage in the kitchen.

Four engines, one ladder truck and Dillow responded to the scene, though Warner said the fire was small enough the hoses weren't necessary.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau firefighters work a house fire Friday afternoon at 27 North Benton Street in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

27 N. Benton St., Cape Girardeau, MO