Four Fire Weekend

A fire that resulted in heavy damage to the structure at 409 King Street is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office, due to the fire being suspicious in nature. Staff photo by George Anderson

The Kennett Fire Department (KFD) was kept busy this past weekend, responding to four fires within a 24-hour period, three of which are currently under investigation.

The first major fire was reported at 409 King Street at 9:34 p.m., on Saturday, June 20.

According to KFD Captain Paul Spain, neighbors called in the report, saying they heard a loud explosion and then noticed the structure was on fire.

Spain said the KFD and Kennett Police Department (KPD) responded to the scene to find heavy flames and smoke coming from the front of the structure. He said the fire had burst through most of the structure's front windows.

Spain said the structure is currently owned by the USDA, following either a repossession or foreclosure, and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

The captain said the structure suffered heavy damage, and the cause was deemed as suspicious in nature due to the structure being unoccupied with no electricity at the time of the fire.

The fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office.

The KFD remained on the scene until 2 a.m., to extinguish the fire and clean up.

During the fire, the Senath Fire Department (SFD) was called in to assist at the scene and the Caruthersville Fire Department was called in to monitor the fire stations, according to Spain.

The second major fire of the weekend occurred at approximately 3:52 a.m., on Sunday, June 21, as the KFD was called to a structure fire at 2506 First Street.

Spain said the structure was a large single-story commercial structure, owned by Jamison Feltus.

"It was a billiards and arcade establishment," Spain said.

Upon arrival, Spain said the department encountered heavy fire conditions which were lifting through the roof of the structure.

Because there are no hydrants in the area, Spain said the department called in the Holcomb Fire Department's 5,000 gallon water tanker to assist with the fire, as well as the Senath Fire Department.

The structure was deemed a total loss and is also under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office.

The third fire under investigation was called in as a structure fire, however, according to Spain, the fire was contained to a small section in front of the structure.

Spain said the fire was reported at 1910 Ely Street at 3:11 a.m., on Sunday, June 21.

According to the captain, it appeared as though someone had thrown a flaming object at the structure, possibly a small rag.

The structure, which is owned by Allen Reed, suffered no damage.

The fire is under investigation by the KPD.

The fourth fire of the weekend was reported at 4 p.m., on Saturday, June 20, as firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1108 Starnes Street.

According to Spain, upon arrival the department encountered heavy fire conditions at the rear of the mobile home structure.

Spain said the structure, which is owned by Barbara Shelby of Caruthersville, Mo., and occupied by Jerry Turner, suffered heavy damage.

Upon investigation, the area of origin was deemed to be the bedroom of the residence and possibly electrical in nature, according to Spain.