Ellisville – It was an early morning for firefighters with Ellisville Fire Department. They responded to a structure fire at 411 Washington Street, Ellisville, at 12:48 a.m. Upon arrival at the single story brick home, firefighters found the enclosed garage with heavy smoke. After searching the home to ensure no victims were inside, firefighters were able to contain the damage in the home to the area of the home's enclosed garage, according to Ellisville Fire Department's Interim Chief Jake Williams.
Several hours later fire units responded to the residence again and found the home fully involved. This subsequent response led to several hours battling the blaze, with South Jones and Southwest Jones volunteer fire departments assisting EFD.
The resident family of four was not at home during the incidents. The home sustained catastrophic damage.
There was one reported injury to a volunteer firefighter who fought the blaze, but the firefighter declined transport to the emergency room.
Several other volunteer fire departments mobilized fire apparatus, in order to be readily available to assist Ellisville Fire Department if needed. Those departments included M & M, Calhoun, Glade, Hebron and Powers VFDs.
Ellisville Police Department, Emserv Ambulance Service and the Jones County Sheriff's Office were also on scene. The cause of the fire is suspicious and believed to be possibly incendiary. The Jones County Sheriff's Office will be investigating the incident.
Information from Dana Bumgardner, PIO - Jones County Fire Council