On Friday, November 19, 2021, at approximately 8:58 PM, the West Plains Police Department, West Plains Fire Department, and Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 1500 Block of BB Highway. The caller indicated there were two individuals stuck in the residence. Upon the arrival of the first officers at the scene they discovered that the entire structure was involved with heavy smoke and fire.
With the arrival of the West Plains Fire Department, an automatic Mutual Aide Response was activated for additional manpower. Members of the Caulfield Fire Department, Howell Rural Fire Department, Peace Valley Fire Department, Pomona Fire Department, Willow Springs Fire Department, and the Thayer Fire Department immediately responded to assist.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshall’s Office and Investigators from the West Plains Police Department also responded to the scene. Two bodies were located within the residence, believed to be the homeowners of the residence. The State Fire Marshall’s Office will investigate the incident, assisted by the West Plains Police Department’s Investigators. The identity of the two victims of the fire will be withheld until notifications of the next of kin may be properly made.
One firefighter suffered a lower leg injury and was transported to Ozark Health Care where he was treated and released. Other members of the fire service were treated for smoke inhalation. The structure received extensive damage due to the intensity of the fire.
The incident remains an active scene and the Police Department is asking the public to stay clear of the area. The roadway is blocked to all traffic at the time of this release.
The City of West Plains would like to thank all the Fire personnel that responded from surrounding areas to assist at the incident.
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