Daily Dunklin Democrat: Local News: KFD and mutual aid respond to structure fire at McFarland Street (01/19/10)

Members of the Kennett Fire Department work to extinguish a fire at McFarland Street on Sunday evening.

Staff photos by George Anderson

Nearly 20 firefighters worked the scene for more than three hours following the report of a structure fire on McFarland Street on Sunday evening.

According to Kennett Fire Marshal Scott Tutor, at approximately 6:55 p.m., the Kennett Fire Department (KFD) received a call of a structure fire at 2805 McFarland Street, located at the north end of Kennett. Tutor said neighbors of the property said they heard three separate explosions.

Eighteen firefighters, including Kenny Johnson of the Senath Fire Department, who was in town at the time of the call, responded to the scene where, upon arrival, they found the structure to be engulfed in flames and heavy smoke, according to Tutor.

Kennett Fire Marshal Scott Tutor, right, and a member of the State Fire Marshal's Office, left, investigate the scene of the structure fire on Monday.

According to the fire marshal, the resident of the property, Jonas Howard, was at Lake Wappapello at the time of the incident.

The fire resulted in a total loss of the structure. Tutor said the estimated dollar loss was $25,000 property and $20,000 contents. No injuries were reported.

Tutor said firefighters were on the scene until approximately 10:30 p.m.

A neighbors view of the McFarland Street fire as firefighters work to put out the blaze.

Photo courtesy of Jeannie Blacker

On Sunday evening, Tutor said he would be referring the incident to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

On Monday, a member of the State Fire Marshal's Office, along with Tutor and members of the KFD and Kennett Police Department, investigated the scene.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, however, it is believed to have begun in the living room area of the property. The state official declined comment.