Fire forced a St. Peters, Missouri family out of their home Thursday night. At approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) responded to call for a house fire in the 100 block of Sutters Mill Rd. in St. Peters. One person was home at the time of the fire and awoke to a haze in the air. When she looked for the source she discovered a fire in a basement bedroom and quickly closed the door to the room, got out of the house and called 911.
“This resident did everything correctly. Her quick reaction to close the door, get out of the house and call 911 spared the house from further damage and helped their three dogs escape injury,” says CCFR Assistant Chief Steve Brown. A closed door helps prevent the spread of a fire.
At the time of the call St. Charles County Ambulance (SCCAD) was closest to the scene and arrived first. When they got to the home the paramedics reported a working basement fire and confirmed that everyone was safely out of the house. When CCFR arrived on the scene they discovered fire blowing out a bedroom window on the lower level of the home, and began work to put out the fire.
“Heavy black smoke filled the entire home, but because the resident closed the door to the room where the fire started, the actual fire damage was contained to the one room,” says Brown.
There were no injuries, but damages are expected to be $30,000 or more. Fire investigators are still at the scene working to determine the cause of the fire. The family of four is staying with family Thursday night.
CCFR was assisted by the Cottleville Fire Protection District, SCCAD and RE-HAB 95, which provides canteen service to firefighters and victim assistance to families affected by fire or other disasters. Approximately 25 first responders were on the scene.