Family loses everything but lives in Saturday fire
Fire destroyed the home of Ricky and Jessica Swearingen of rural Cassville early Saturday morning. Photo by Sheila Harris.
October 20, 2021
Ezra DeVore
In the early morning of October 16, a phone call from a concerned neighbor alerted the Cassville Fire Department to the blazing two-story home of Ricky and Jessica Swearingen on Farm Road 1135, approximately six miles northeast of Cassville. The Swearingens were not home at the time of the fire. The house and all contents were destroyed.
According to assistant chief of the Cassville Fire Department, Derek Acheson, the call was received at 1:30 a.m. and detailed that the neighbor had heard noises and later saw the home ablaze; the Cassville Fire Department arrived on scene at 1:50 a.m.
“When arriving,” said Acheson, “we didn’t know there were no residents, but the residents were (later) located out and about. We requested mutual aid with Purdy Fire; they have a bigger water capability than we do. Purdy brought a tanker and people.”
According to Acheson, a total of six Purdy firefighters arrived, as did five from Butterfield, in addition to the five from Cassville who had been the first to arrive.
“The house was consumed,” Acheson said, “maybe five percent of the northwest corner was still standing, but it was still damaged.”
With the fire extinguished, the firefighters departed at 4:23 a.m.
Although the fire department currently cannot confirm the origin of the fire due to the near-complete destruction of the home, “This time of year,” Acheson said, “you can’t rule out a chimney fire. Clean out your chimneys during the cold time of year, and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors to keep fires from turning tragic. In rural areas, fires can easily go undetected and burn for a long time before anyone notices.”
All of the firefighters working in the Cassville Fire Protection District are volunteers. To volunteer, call 417-846-4005 or go to www.cassvillefpd.org.
A fundraising effort is underway for the Swearingens. Donations can be made online on the T. Addison Foundation Facebook page or in person at the T. Addison Foundation booth at Cassville’s Chili Cook-Off Saturday. Clothing donations are being accepted at Diva Bling & The Tiny Highlander at 201 E 5th St, Cassville. Sizes needed are men’s 32/32 jeans and large shirts; women’s juniors size 3 jeans and small shirts; 5, 6 and 3T jeans and shirts, and sizes 11 and 9 shoes for boys; men’s size 9 boots and size 10 shoes; and women’s size 7 shoes.
Ezra DeVore
In the early morning of October 16, a phone call from a concerned neighbor alerted the Cassville Fire Department to the blazing two-story home of Ricky and Jessica Swearingen on Farm Road 1135, approximately six miles northeast of Cassville. The Swearingens were not home at the time of the fire. The house and all contents were destroyed.
According to assistant chief of the Cassville Fire Department, Derek Acheson, the call was received at 1:30 a.m. and detailed that the neighbor had heard noises and later saw the home ablaze; the Cassville Fire Department arrived on scene at 1:50 a.m.
“When arriving,” said Acheson, “we didn’t know there were no residents, but the residents were (later) located out and about. We requested mutual aid with Purdy Fire; they have a bigger water capability than we do. Purdy brought a tanker and people.”
According to Acheson, a total of six Purdy firefighters arrived, as did five from Butterfield, in addition to the five from Cassville who had been the first to arrive.
“The house was consumed,” Acheson said, “maybe five percent of the northwest corner was still standing, but it was still damaged.”
With the fire extinguished, the firefighters departed at 4:23 a.m.
Although the fire department currently cannot confirm the origin of the fire due to the near-complete destruction of the home, “This time of year,” Acheson said, “you can’t rule out a chimney fire. Clean out your chimneys during the cold time of year, and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors to keep fires from turning tragic. In rural areas, fires can easily go undetected and burn for a long time before anyone notices.”
All of the firefighters working in the Cassville Fire Protection District are volunteers. To volunteer, call 417-846-4005 or go to www.cassvillefpd.org.
A fundraising effort is underway for the Swearingens. Donations can be made online on the T. Addison Foundation Facebook page or in person at the T. Addison Foundation booth at Cassville’s Chili Cook-Off Saturday. Clothing donations are being accepted at Diva Bling & The Tiny Highlander at 201 E 5th St, Cassville. Sizes needed are men’s 32/32 jeans and large shirts; women’s juniors size 3 jeans and small shirts; 5, 6 and 3T jeans and shirts, and sizes 11 and 9 shoes for boys; men’s size 9 boots and size 10 shoes; and women’s size 7 shoes.
