Multiple agencies forced to battle Dearborn house fire

ROSS MARTIN/Citizen photo Multiple agencies worked to battle a house fire Wednesday, Nov. 4 on Fourth Street in Dearborn, Mo. Six agencies worked to control a structure fire for about six hours Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Dearborn, Mo.

Responders began arriving at 504 Fourth St. — at the back of a dead-end block in downtown — at about 10:30 a.m. with smoke coming from the roof. Eventually, the situation worsened and flames became visible in the front-right part of the roof, which was metal. Dearborn, Camden Point, Edgerton-Trimble, West Platte and Central Platte fire departments were the first on the scene.

ROSS MARTIN/Citizen photo A firefighter uses an ax in an attempt to punch a hole in the wall of a house Wednesday, Nov. 4 while battling a structure fire on Fourth Street in Dearborn, Mo.

No one was home at the time, but the renter was on the scene as work went on at the house. There were no reports of injuries.

The metal roof, which had crimped edges, created problems, and firefighters struggled to open up holes to get water into the attic, where the fire was based. Eventually, Central Platte used its extension ladder to stream water into the roof from overhead, but pockets of flame continued to develop around the house as the fire swirled through the attic.

Eventually, South-Central Buchanan Fire Protection was called in to provide more manpower and oxygen tanks. The Office of the State Fire Marshall was on hand to investigate, as well.

As of early in the afternoon, the fire appeared contained, but firefighters were working to open up the ceiling and put out the remaining hot spots. Crews remained on the scene until about 4:30 p.m.