Fire is second this year in vacant house

No one was hurt, but a Cape Girardeau firefighter had a near-miss Monday in a blaze that caused extensive damage to a vacant house on Benton Street -- the second fire in the structure this year.

About 2:45 p.m. Monday, firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from a structure at 801 S. Benton St.

"Upon arrival, they had fire showing from the front and side upper-story windows," said assistant chief Mark Hasheider of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

The house was unoccupied, he said.

"It's basically vacant -- no furniture, unoccupied," Hasheider said. "There was no one working in it, no one around."

According to a news release prepared by battalion chief Brad Dillow, one firefighter fell partially through the first floor but pulled himself out and did not need medical attention.

Four stations responded to the fire, which caused extensive damage to the second story, Hasheider said.

The bottom floor had extensive smoke and water damage, he said.

Crews needed 35 minutes to get the blaze under control, Hasheider said.

By 4:15 p.m. firefighters were still at the scene, he said.

The fire was the second at the house this year.

In June, after a neighbor called the fire department to report smoke coming from the building, firefighters entered the house to find a small fire on the floor that had been deliberately set, Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Jason Selzer reported at the time.

Hasheider said a neighbor reported a juvenile may have been responsible for the suspected arson in June, which caused little damage.

The fire Monday appears to have started on the first floor, near the steps, before traveling upstairs, Hasheider said.

According to the news release, the state fire marshal was called in to investigate because the blaze was determined to be suspicious in nature.

Firefighters do not know yet whether the latest fire is connected to the one in June, Hasheider said.

In June, Selzer said authorities believed US Bank owned the house.

Hasheider said records show no ownership change since then.

Damage was estimated at $32,000, according to the news release.

Hasheider asked anyone with information about the fire to call the Cape Girardeau Fire Department at 270-0010.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

801 S. Benton St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.