Firework arson to blame for house fire
Abandoned Shell Knob home set ablaze after fireworks thrown inside
July 10, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones & Isaac Estes-Jones
A Shell Knob fire is being investigated as possible arson started by fireworks last week. Central Crossing Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the Turkey 2 area last week on Wednesday, July 3, at 7:52 p.m.
Crews on scene worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters reported smoke was showing from the front of the home when they arrived, and the fire inside was put out quickly. The abandoned home was unoccupied at the time of the blaze.
As crews looked over the damage, it was suspected the fire in question was arson-related and started by consumer-grade fireworks inside the vacant building.
Central Crossing Fire staff reported the suspected arson to the State Fire Marshal’s Office as well as the Stone County Sheriff’s Department. Officers with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department were also on scene.
Central Crossing fire chief Rusty Rickard confirmed the fire was started by fireworks. He said, “There is no doubt. It was most definitely arson-related and most definitely fireworks. Someone had thrown consumer-grade mortars into a residential home that had been abandoned.”
Rickard said the home was located on Rosewood Street just inside Stone County.
He added, “From the best we can tell, someone threw three mortars inside the home. Two of them went off and one of them did not, but they managed to catch the house on fire.”
Rickard said the fire was quickly extinguished with crew on scene approximately 45 minutes.
The chief said a person passing by was to thank for the fire being reported. He said, “A passerby happened to notice the smoke and flames and called it in.”
Central Crossing Fire Department received mutual aid from Eagle Rock - Golden - Mano Fire Department and Southern Stone County Fire Department.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader did not have information available for release at press time. “The State Fire Marshal usually investigates arsons,” he said.
Additional information from the State Fire Marshal’s office was not available at press time. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
Charlea Estes-Jones & Isaac Estes-Jones
A Shell Knob fire is being investigated as possible arson started by fireworks last week. Central Crossing Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the Turkey 2 area last week on Wednesday, July 3, at 7:52 p.m.
Crews on scene worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters reported smoke was showing from the front of the home when they arrived, and the fire inside was put out quickly. The abandoned home was unoccupied at the time of the blaze.
As crews looked over the damage, it was suspected the fire in question was arson-related and started by consumer-grade fireworks inside the vacant building.
Central Crossing Fire staff reported the suspected arson to the State Fire Marshal’s Office as well as the Stone County Sheriff’s Department. Officers with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department were also on scene.
Central Crossing fire chief Rusty Rickard confirmed the fire was started by fireworks. He said, “There is no doubt. It was most definitely arson-related and most definitely fireworks. Someone had thrown consumer-grade mortars into a residential home that had been abandoned.”
Rickard said the home was located on Rosewood Street just inside Stone County.
He added, “From the best we can tell, someone threw three mortars inside the home. Two of them went off and one of them did not, but they managed to catch the house on fire.”
Rickard said the fire was quickly extinguished with crew on scene approximately 45 minutes.
The chief said a person passing by was to thank for the fire being reported. He said, “A passerby happened to notice the smoke and flames and called it in.”
Central Crossing Fire Department received mutual aid from Eagle Rock - Golden - Mano Fire Department and Southern Stone County Fire Department.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader did not have information available for release at press time. “The State Fire Marshal usually investigates arsons,” he said.
Additional information from the State Fire Marshal’s office was not available at press time. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
