Jackson firefighter's house burns while family is out of town

A Jackson house fire brought more than a dozen emergency vehicles Thursday night to a cul-de-sac where firefighters battled to save the home of one of their own.

The home of part-time Jackson firefighter John Trowbridge and his wife, Sheila, at 2215 Shannon Court caught fire sometime after 9 p.m., said fire chief Brad Golden.

The home was 40 percent engaged in flames when Jackson put out a call for mutual aid to Millersville and Cape Girardeau. The Fruitland Fire Department manned Jackson's station during the event. A large portion of the roof was consumed by the fire, which still had flames showing at 10:30 p.m.

The streets were lined with more than just fire trucks and police cars, officer Jackie Wilson said.

Police blocked Drew Avenue because people parked their cars at the end of it and walked up to watch, Wilson said. "That made it hard for emergency vehicles to get around the corner safely."

No one was inside the home when it caught fire. The Trowbridges and their four children were away on a trip, said family friend Kevin Rhodes.

"They'd gone to a ball tournament in Kansas City," he said. "They're on their way back now."

Like many of the neighbors, Rhodes paced worriedly as he looked on the scene. He walked over to a firefighter and said, "I'm John's best friend, if there's anything I can do, please let me know."

Down the street, neighborhood resident Tim Werner stood in his driveway watching the commotion a block away.

"I didn't see the smoke, I was asleep at the time because I have to be up early," he said. "I was awoken by the fire engines."

Werner said some of the neighbors talked about seeing fireworks being used near the now burned house.

But the cause is still under investigation and no one is sure exactly where the fire started, Golden said.

"I could say where we think it might have, but I'd just be speculating at this point," he said.

Despite the fact that the firefighters were battling a blaze at a colleague's home, they said they didn't approach it any differently than they would at any other home, Golden said. However, because some of the firefighters had been in the home before, they were familiar with the floor plan. This helped in attacking the fire, the chief said.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160