Dexter fire injures two

DEXTER, Mo. -- Two people were hospitalized following an early Thursday morning fire in Dexter. According to Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore, his department was summoned to 212 Adams Drive around 4:30 a.m., where they found the north end of the brick and frame ranch-style home totally engulfed in flames. The fire, which Seymore said started in a bedroom at the north end, gutted that end of the home. The entire structure sustained heavy damage. Living at the home were Amy Clark, 70, and her son John Clark, 41. Amy Clark suffered smoke inhalation and was transported by ambulance to Missouri Southern Healthcare for treatment. Her son received second- and third-degree burns to his hands and arms while attempting to extinguish the initial flames with a garden hose. He was taken by ambulance to the Dexter airport and was airlifted from there to a St. Louis hospital for treatment. It was unclear Thursday whether or not the home was equipped with functioning smoke alarms, Seymore said. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined.