Personnel from three different fire districts responded to a house fire in the extreme south part of Moniteau County early Thursday.
According to Moreau Fire Protection District Fire Chief David Papen, firefighters responded about 12:10 a.m. to a fire in a residence at 43192 South Creek Road. Due to the location, approximately seven miles southwest of Russellville, the Moreau firefighters were assisted by Mutual Aid responders of the Russellville / Lohman Fire Protection District and the Eldon Fire Department.
The fire is reported to have started in the basement around a wood stove. Papen reported that it is believed that the pipe to the flue came apart in the basement. The home owner tried to fight the fire and suffered burns, said to be over 20 percent of his body. He was taken to a Columbia hospital for treatment.
Although Staff for Life responded with a helicopter, the aircraft was reported to have been temporarily grounded at the High Point heli-pad due to technical problems. As a result, the patient was transported via Mid-Mo Ambulance.
Although the fire was reported to have been confined to the basement, the house was reported to have sustained major major smoke and heat damage, with the heat intense enough to melt plastic items above the first floor.
Papen commented that, because of the location, the 911 call initially went to the Miller County Emergency Dispatch Center, then was transferred to Moniteau County 911 Emergency Dispatch.