WARRENSBURG — The Warrensburg Fire Department responded to two residential structure fires less than 12 hours apart earlier this week.
Crews responded to a report of a structure fire at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in the 1500 block of Stoneybrooke Drive and later at 6:25 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the 300 block of South Main Street.
The WFD said crews arrived at the first fire to find heavy smoke conditions and the fire was quickly brought under control. The residence suffered moderate fire damage and significant smoke and heat damage. Last units cleared the scene at 10:52 p.m.
The second fire was under control by 7:23 a.m. and the residence suffered significant fire damage. Last units cleared the scene at 12:03 p.m.
No injuries were reported from either incident.
“As we lost integrity of the floor then we also lost integrity of the roof, so that was a big consideration and safety aspect, making sure we didn’t have a collapse on our guys,” Interim Fire Chief Doyle Oxley said. “The good thing was the house was made of what we call ‘old wood.’ It’s old tight-grain wood, so it’s got a lot of strength to it where the newer stuff doesn’t.”
Oxley said the temperature also had an effect on the department’s ability to fight the fire as steam conversion, a fire suppression method, isn’t possible in lower temperatures.
The WFD was assisted on both scenes by Warrensburg Police Department, Johnson County Ambulance District, Evergy and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.
On the South Main Street incident, the WFD was assisted by Warrensburg Public Works, Johnson County Fire Protection District and the Johnson County Fire Investigation Unit.
The Johnson County Fire Investigation Unit is comprised of Fire and Law Enforcement agencies that operate in Johnson County.
The causes of the fires have yet to be determined and both fires are being investigated by the Warrensburg Police and Fire departments in conjunction with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The WFD is asking anyone with information on either of these fires to contact the WFD Fire Prevention Office at 660-262-4564.
