Jackson home destroyed by fire; lightning may be cause

A Jackson home has been deemed a total loss after being destroyed by fire Sunday evening.

Jackson Fire Department Chief Jason Mouser said the two residents of 411 Ohio Street were home at the time the fire began, but were able to make it safely outside after receiving a call from their alarm company alerting them to a smoke detector activation in their garage.

Mouser said the residents initially doubted a fire was ongoing but found the garage fully engulfed upon opening the door. The residents were unable to escape through the home's front door because of too much heat and flame coming from the garage, so exited through the back door, he said. Flames were showing through the home's roof when fire crews arrived. The department received the call around 6:45 p.m. and four engines stayed on scene until 10 p.m.

Mouser said the cause of the fire is still being investigated and is believed to be accidental. Investigators are looking at the weather as a possible cause since the fire began around the time a storm system containing frequent lightning strikes moved through the area.

Pertinent address:

411 Ohio St., Jackson, MO