The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published December 5, 2018

Early morning fire destroys garage, house

CAMDEN COUNTY – A fire that began in a garage has destroyed that building and a nearby residence last week.

Last Wednesday at 1:42 a.m., the Mid-County Fire Protection District (MCFPD) was dispatched to a report of a garage fire on Cottage Drive off of State Route D. The initial report was that the detached garage was fully involved and was spreading to the adjacent house.

Firefighters arrived to find the detached garage fully involved with fire and that had collapsed with the adjacent residence now being well involved with fire in the interior and attic.

Firefighters deployed several hose lines and were able to bring the fire under control in approximately one hour.

“It was extremely cold at the time of the fire which created hardships for the firefighters and caused numerous pieces of equipment to freeze,” said MCFPD Chief Scott Frandsen.

According to the National Weather service the temperature at that time was 19 degrees. All occupants had escaped the residence prior to MCFPD arrival.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries when he fell through a collapsed floor. He was treated on the scene and returned to duty. There were no other injuries reported.

The residence and garage were a total loss. The fire is not considered suspicious and appears to have started in the detached garage. The MCFPD Fire Marshal is investigating the fire.

MCFPD responded with an engine, three tankers and were assisted on the scene by an engine from the Osage Beach Fire Protection District, an engine from the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District, Camden County Ambulance District, Camden County Sheriff’s Office and Laclede Electric.

Additionally, an engine from Lake Ozark Fire Protection District moved to MCFPD Station 1 in Camdenton to cover additional emergency calls.

All units cleared the scene at 9 a.m.

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