Officials: Fire started by child playing with matches

Cape Girardeau fire officials released details about house fire on Hawthorne Road near Arena Park, including that the flames were sparked by a child playing with matches.

Firefighters responded to the fire just after 6 p.m. Sunday at a duplex at 2741 Hawthorne Road and determined later it had started in a closet, chief Rick Ennis said Tuesday. While the department initially reported that a child had suffered minor burns, a 28-year-old man actually suffered minor burns to his hand while trying to help with the fire, the man's mother, Karen Grayson, said.

Pertinent address:

2741 Hawthorne Road, Cape Girardeau, MO