Candle leads to house fire in House Springs on July 23

A fire, which started by a burning candle, rendered a home at the 7000 block of Burgan Grove Road in House Springs uninhabitable on July 23.

A fire, started by a burning candle, rendered a home at the 7000 block of Burgan Grove Road in House Springs uninhabitable on July 23, according to High Ridge Fire Chief John Barton.

He said the homeowner left the burning candle unattended. The owner first tried to put out the fire with a neighbor’s garden hose. The neighbor heard the homeowner shouting for help and called 911.

Barton said the fire has been ruled accidental and no one was injured.

High Ridge Fire was dispatched at 11:46 a.m. and put out the fire by 12:40 p.m. Barton said the house was completely consumed by smoke and flames when first responders arrived.

The small home on the bank of the Big River had “hoarder-like” conditions with a lot of debris, Barton said, making it difficult for firefighters extinguish the fire.

“We had to call for additional trucks for more water because there were no hydrants nearby,” Barton said. “We also called for more personnel because of the high temperatures. We had to make sure personnel did not get injured.”

According to the Weather Channel, House Springs reached a high of 92 degrees on Sunday.

“It was very hot and we’re wearing all these different layers of gear,” Barton said. “We’re worried about firefighters getting heat illness.”

Barton said two Big River Ambulance District ambulances were on the scene in case any firefighters needed medical attention. Eureka, Fenton, Cedar Hill, Goldman fire protection districts and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

Barton said deputies were a big help in controlling traffic on the narrow road leading to the house fire. The intersection of Burgan’s Grove Road and Cottage Grove Road was closed so additional fire personnel could arrive at the scene.

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