A fire that spread from one house to two other early Monday morning sent firefighters from numerous departments to Florence Street in Houston.
Smoke could be seen at about 4:30 a.m. coming from the area, which is off Oak Hill Drive on the street that leads to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
With one house destroyed and another on fire, Houston Fire Chief Robbie Smith quickly sought help from several neighboring departments who offered mutual aid.
The residence where the fire originated was occupied by Amber Kirk, who was held in the Texas County Jail at the time.
Smith said Kirk’s house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on scene, and the house to the east was already badly damaged, so the decision was made to concentrate efforts on the house to the west.
“Some siding melted on it, but it was mostly saved intact,” Smith said.
The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating. Departments that responded included the City of Houston, Houston Rural, Raymondville, Cabool, Summersville, Roby and Mountain Grove.
The American Red Cross was called to aid fire victims. Persons wanting to help them can do so.
Two houses were destroyed and another damaged in an early morning fire Monday on Florence Street in Houston.
Winds blowing from west to east carried the fire from the house of its origin to an adjacent home. Both were destroyed.