House fire rages on Jefferson Avenue

A house at 1022 Jefferson Ave. in Cape Girardeau erupted in flames around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A Cape Girardeau Fire Deparment report by battalion chief Mark Starnes said firefighters arrived on the scene to see flames at the front of the structure, with heavy smoke coming from the second-floor windows and soffit.

Four fire engines and a ladder truck responded to the call, with 15 personnel to fight the fire. The Jackson Fire Department provided mutual aid to help cover the rest of Cape Girardeau, along with a vehicle manned by Cape Girardeau fire personnel. Cape Girardeau police officers directed traffic away from the block.

Cape Girardeau firefighters work a house fire Tuesday morning, April 28, 2015 at 1022 Jefferson Avenue in Cape Girardeau.

Starnes' report said three hose lines were needed to extinguish the fire.

No one was living in the house, but it contained furniture, according to the report. The home had nonfunctional utilities and no working smoke detectors.

The house, valued between $50,000 and $60,000, was determined to be a total loss.

There were no injuries, Starnes reported.

Iesha Barlow, who lives across the street from the house, said she called the fire department when she looked out her window and saw flames.

"It happened fast, because I just came home 10 minutes before I called," and there was nothing showing at that point, she said.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1022 Jefferson Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO