Two house fires strike Kennett, Mo., area Saturday night

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. -- Two house fires kept the Kennett Fire Department busy Saturday night.

The first fire was called in at 6:44 p.m. and the fire department arrived on scene at 6:49 p.m. The house was at 2309 South Ave. and owned and occupied by Elden Mayberry.

According to the Kennett Fire Department, the fire began in the kitchen on top of the stove and was originally extinguished by Mayberry.

Unknown to the occupant, the vent pipe system vented some of the fire into the attic before he extinguished the flames on the stove.

The fire department arrived on the scene to witness heavy smoke coming from the structure. The building's add-ons made the putting out the fire more difficult, and the fire department was on scene for approximately three hours.

The occupant received minor burns to the hand and the structure was extensively damaged.

The second fire was at 1292 County Road 547. The house was owned by Al Purvis of Senath and occupied by Connie Howton. Howton had recently begun moving to another residence in Arbyrd, Mo., and only had some belongings left in the house.

The fire department was notified at 10:25 p.m. and arrived on scene at 10:34 p.m. The structure was completely involved when firefighter's arrived.

The fire department attempted to gain control of the fire and also protect a propane tank that sat close to the engulfed residence, and firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.

The structure was extensively damaged by the fire. Both fires are under investigation by the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department.