Joplin Fire Department responds to residential structure fire
At approximately 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, the Joplin 911 center was notified via a life alert activation of a possible structure fire at 2811 N. Brownell in Joplin’s Royal Heights neighborhood.
While responding, dispatchers provided updated information of a possible victim inside the residence unable to get out. Firefighters arrived within three and a half minutes of being notified and found a single-story residential dwelling with smoke showing.
Entry was forced into the structure where firefighters encountered dense smoke conditions to the floor, with the assistance of a thermal imaging camera one adult female victim was located and removed from the residence. Medical care was immediately initiated by Joplin Fire and METS ambulance.
An 81-year-old female victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.
The fire was located inside a bedroom and extinguished confining fire damage to two rooms, however, there was heat and smoke damage throughout. Four dogs were rescued from the home and turned over to Joplin Animal Control in good condition.
No injuries occurred to firefighters and Joplin Fire was assisted by the Webb City Fire Department, Joplin Police Department, and METS Ambulance.
The cause and origin of the fire was investigated by the Joplin Fire Marshal who determined that the fire was accidental in nature due to discarded smoking materials in bed.