Two killed in Pierce City fire, space heater suspected culprit

Several area departments engage in two fires back-to-back as high winds cause havoc
 
Pierce City and Monett firefighters responded to two fires on Oct. 25. The structure fire in Pierce City resulted in two fatalities and remains under investigation, however, it has been confirmed that the two lost in the fire were Denise Davis and Larry Raymond Jung.
The house at 313 N. Myrtle, across the street from the high school campus, was completely destroyed in the fire. Utilities were in the name of Davis, who had lived there for at least 25 years, according to city records. Firefighters and the on-duty Pierce City officer arrived on the scene shortly after the call came in at 8:39 p.m. Dispatchers warned that victims may have been trapped inside.
According to Police Chief Steve Norman, the firefighters and officer attempted entry through the front, but found the building already engulfed. They attempted a rear entry, calling out to occupants, with no response.
Fire Chief Dan Alber, one of the first on the scene, said he was surprised at how far the fire had advanced by the time the call came in. Neighbors reported hearing an explosion prior to seeing the fire, which could have explained its rapid progress.
“We did not know of any working smoke detectors in the house,” Alber said.
According to a release from the Pierce City Fire District, “Fire personnel initiated an aggressive interior search from multiple entry points but were unable to make significant progress due to heavy fire and deteriorating interior conditions.” Additional firefighters and equipment arrived from the Purdy, Sarcoxie, and Freistatt fire districts, plus the Granby and Diamond fire departments.
“Twenty-mile-an-hour winds didn’t help,” Alber said. “The biggest obstacle we had early on was the power lines on the north side of the house fell and were still energized. The power company got there fairly quickly and deactivated them. The north side of the house was overgrown with brush.
“Everyone on scene did a great job. The scene was organized, due to the attention to detail by the area departments. The guys did the assignments they were given, in light of how well involved the fire was.”
The two victims were found inside the residence in separate adjacent rooms. Police Chief Norman said they were likely overcome by smoke. Coroner Scott Lakin took possession of the deceased for forensic identification and autopsy, Norman added.
Firefighters stayed on the scene until after 2 p.m.
Norman noted family of the victims said the home was somewhat cluttered. Investigators suspected a space heater may have ignited material nearby. The fire appears to have started from an inner room, not in the kitchen. The chief urged residents when using space heaters to take precautions about their location and the material around them. Two investigators from the Fire Marshal’s office were called in to determine the cause of the blaze.
The Highway Patrol, Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies, and the Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District all responded to the scene.

Monett fire
During the same hour, Monett Rural Fire District firefighters responded to a structure fire in the vicinity of Farm Road 1120, near the crossroad of Farm Road 2220, east of Monett. The call came in at 8:26 p.m. On scene first, the Monett firefighters battled the blaze located near the chimney, where fire worked its way into the attic space. Fire crews cleared the scene at 11 p.m.
According to Fire Chief Matt Privett, firefighters rapidly extinguished the fire, limiting damage. “The fire cause is believed to be related to a wood-burning fireplace,” he said.
No injuries were reported among the residents or firefighters. Privett noted the department received support from neighboring departments as part of standing mutual aid agreements.
“Being a rural area, water supply – including tankers and personnel – are essential on all structure fires,” he said.
Monett city firefighters, along with fire districts from Aurora rural, Purdy, Pierce City, and Freistatt responded. Once the fire was deemed under control, Privett said resources were diverted to help with the Pierce City fire.