FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2018

SUBJECT:      Structure Fire 1015 S St. Louis Avenue, Apartment 4                      

CONTACT:    James Furgerson, Fire Chief, Joplin Fire Department

On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at approximately 9:51 PM the Joplin Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 1015 S. St. Louis, Apartment 4. The first crew arrived on scene at 9:58 PM and found a two-story wood frame multi-residential structure with heavy fire coming from an apartment on the first floor. Crews made an interior attack and extinguished the fire. Damage was confined to the apartment and the overhanging second story porch/balcony. Fire crews brought the fire under control in 20 minutes and it was completely extinguished by 10:30 PM.

While fire crews were investigating the cause, a person of interest admitted to the Joplin Police Department that he had intentionally set the fire and is currently in custody at the Joplin City Jail. The fire apartment sustained moderate heat and smoke damage and all occupants of the apartment complex were able to escape without injury.

There were no injuries to firefighting crews.

The Joplin Fire Department responded with 6 units and 17 personnel and were assisted by the Joplin Police Department and METS Ambulance Service.

The Joplin Fire Marshal has determined the fire to be incendiary in nature. It is still under investigation with the assistance of the Joplin Police Department.

For more information, contact the Joplin Fire Department at 623-0403 or 624-0820, ext. 1300.