At around 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, a St. Peters, MO resident was awoken by a neighbor in need. Suffering from severe burns, with the victim’s house on fire, the individual had rushed to their neighbor’s house for help.
The neighbor called 911 and Central County Fire & Rescue immediately responded to the home on the 100 block of Timberidge Dr., in St. Peters. Once on the scene, firefighters confirmed everyone was out of the home, and there was a fire in the basement. As firefighters fought the fire, St. Charles City Fire Department paramedics immediately began helping the victim who suffered severe burns to the front of their body, and was transported to a local hospital for care.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and CCFR fire investigators began working to determine the cause.
“We determined the fire was set intentionally, and have turned the investigation over to the St. Peters Police,” said CCFR Assistant Chief Steve Brown. It is estimated the fire caused $20,000 in damages.
CCFR was assisted by the City of St. Charles Fire Department, Cottleville Fire District, St. Charles County Ambulance District and the CCFR Community Assistance Team.
“With all of our residents spending more time at home, there is an increased risk for home fires. We are encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms, be cautious while cooking, properly disposing of smoking materials and avoid using candles unless they are battery operated,” says Brown.