Smoke Fills Neighborhood after Fire in St. Joseph
By: Robert Lowrey, Bridget Blevins
Updated: December 17, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A family of five is displaced after an afternoon fire destroys
their home Monday.
Fire crews responded to a house fire on the 700 block of S. 14th Street shortly after 2:30 p.m.
When they arrived, smoke and flames were pouring out of the second story.
Janice Burnett and her four children have been renting the home at 723 S. 14th Street for three and a half years.
Pictures, memorabilia, and presents were among the losses as the fire spread through the house.
One of those presents was a surprise for Burnett's eight year-old daughter who loves playing instruments.
"My daughter had a violin in the closet," said Burnett, fighting back tears. "She doesn't even know about it. That's what she wanted for Christmas this year."
Burnett had left for work around 1:15 p.m. at East Hills Mall. Just before 3:00 p.m., she got a call saying her house was on fire.
"We got to go home," recalled Burnett. "We got to go home now."
Fire crews battled the smoke and flames for more than three hours.
Smoke trickled east into neighboring areas. The St. Joseph Fire Department watered down two homes to make sure flames did not spread.
The Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross is currently assisting the family.
Fire crews have not been able to determine the cause of the fire as of yet.
Fire crews responded to a house fire on the 700 block of S. 14th Street shortly after 2:30 p.m.
When they arrived, smoke and flames were pouring out of the second story.
Janice Burnett and her four children have been renting the home at 723 S. 14th Street for three and a half years.
Pictures, memorabilia, and presents were among the losses as the fire spread through the house.
One of those presents was a surprise for Burnett's eight year-old daughter who loves playing instruments.
"My daughter had a violin in the closet," said Burnett, fighting back tears. "She doesn't even know about it. That's what she wanted for Christmas this year."
Burnett had left for work around 1:15 p.m. at East Hills Mall. Just before 3:00 p.m., she got a call saying her house was on fire.
"We got to go home," recalled Burnett. "We got to go home now."
Fire crews battled the smoke and flames for more than three hours.
Smoke trickled east into neighboring areas. The St. Joseph Fire Department watered down two homes to make sure flames did not spread.
The Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross is currently assisting the family.
Fire crews have not been able to determine the cause of the fire as of yet.
