Lightning suspected to be culprit in Morley house fire

MORLEY, Mo. -- A fire destroyed a home at 318 Bronaugh St. in Morley on Sunday evening amid the severe weather that pounded the area, and lightning is believed to be the culprit, said Scott County Rural Fire Department chief Jeremy Perrien.

Oran, Morley and the Scott County fire department all responded to the scene where the house was ablaze, according to scanner traffic. The back porch collapsed during the fire and the house is considered a total loss, said Perrien, who added there were no injuries.

Beulah Dunnivan; her three sons, Ethan, 15, Lukas, 11, and AJ. 10; and her niece, Nadine, were not at home when the fire started.

The family's pastor, Ken Strong, said they had been staying with Dunnivan's parents since the utilities had been shut off at the residence last week and were not home when the fire began.

Dunnivan said they could not afford insurance on the house, according to Strong.

Father's Arms Fellowship church in Scott City will be taking donations for the family. Donations can be sent to Father's Arm Fellowship, Attn: Dunnivan Fire Fund, P.O. Box 4297, Scott City, MO 63780.

skluesner@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

Morley, Mo.