A 89-year-old man was found dead following a large fire in rural Johnson County on Friday, Nov. 15.
The Johnson County Fire Protection District responded to the 900 block of NW 201 Road, off Northeast County Road H northwest of Fayetteville, after neighbors alerted the agency to flames at the residence just after 10:30 p.m.
JCFPD arrived to find what an official described as a massive fire involving a residence, multiple outbuildings, several vehicles and surrounding vegetation.
After the fire subsided enough for a safe search, crews found the body of Walter McGirl, 89, inside the home.
Due to the extent of the damage, it is unknown if smoke detectors were working. Investigators from the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office ruled the cause of the fire to be undetermined.
Five JCFPD stations responded and received assistance from the Johnson County Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, Johnson County Ambulance District, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.
