Sikeston woman escapes house fire Saturday

SIKESTON — A Sikeston woman escaped without injury after her vehicle caught fire under her carport Saturday in Sikeston.

At 5:46 p.m. Saturday, Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s Fire Division responded to the 1200 block of Sikes where a fire had started in the carport in the vehicle compartment, according Capt. Derick Wheetley, Sikeston DPS fire division commander. The fire spread to the kitchen of the house, which caused a high fire. There was damage to the carport, total loss on the car, kitchen and moderate smoke damage throughout the home.

“One woman was home and able to get out safely,” Wheetley said.

The cause of the fire was due to a battery terminal on the car, which had shorted, he said.

Sikeston DPS received assistance from Morehouse and Scott County Rural Fire Departments. Crews were on scene about two hours.

Then at 8:24 p.m. Saturday, Sikeston DPS’s Fire Division responded to a structure fire in the 1200 block of Malone Avenue. Wheetley said a fire started after fireworks landed on the roof of a storage building. Crews were on scene for 30 minutes and the building sustained minor damage, he said.

DPS responded to the report of a structure fire at 9:41 p.m. Sunday in the 900 block of Lora Street.

A firework had been thrown through a bedroom window in a house. It broke the window and filled the with smoke. The incident is still under investigation for property damage, Wheetley said.

Overall, Wheetley said, the Fourth of July weekend went well.

“Normally in the past, it’s been really busy leading up to the Fourth, and this year it seems like everyone waited until this weekend to shoot their fireworks,” he said.

Per usual, there were several calls about fireworks ordinance violations, Wheetley said. Patrol was busy like normal, too.