Fire severely damages Sikeston home

SIKESTON — A home was severely damaged after catching fire the afternoon of Wednesday, May 3 in Sikeston.

According to Capt. Derick Wheetley, fire division commander for Sikeston Department of Public Safety, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, officers with Sikeston DPS responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Malcolm Street.

“The first arriving officer on scene observed flames on the outside of the residence in the front as well as inside the residence,” Wheetley said. “Fire division personnel arrived on scene and began to quickly extinguish the fire. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, there was severe damage to the residence, but all residents were able to evacuate safely.”

Sgt. James Whitley and Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s accelerant detection canine, K-9 Sammy, work to locate the origin of the fire Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Sikeston. This was K-9 Sammy’s first structure fire with the department and was able to confirm the residents’ account of how the fire started, according to DPS. (Sikeston DPS Photo)

Sgt. James Whitley and Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s accelerant detection canine, K-9 Sammy, work to locate the origin of the fire Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Sikeston. This was K-9 Sammy’s first structure fire with the department and was able to confirm the residents’ account of how the fire started, according to DPS. (Sikeston DPS Photo)

The cause of the fire was a four-wheeler sitting against the residence and caught fire while running, Wheetley said.

Sgt. James Whitley was able to deploy K-9 Sammy, DPS’ accelerant detection canine, in order to locate the origin of the fire. This was K-9 Sammy’s first structure fire with the department and was able to confirm the residents’ account of how the fire started.

“We knew the cause of the fire but used Sammy to confirm what occupants told us happened,” Wheetley said. “It also gives her exposures to and real-life training.”

Also assisting at the scene were Scott County Rural Fire, Morehouse Fire Department and South Scott EMS.