On Saturday, April 1 at approximately 9:10 a.m., the Little Dixie Fire Protection District was notified of a structure fire at 251 Highway Z, north of Mexico. Dispatch further advised that a neighbor on the scene had discovered the fire which had basically destroyed the structure.

The resident’s vehicle was still at the residence and burning at the time and there was the possibility that the residents were still in the structure.

Upon arrival, the structure was found to have been totally consumed by the fire and the debris was still burning. A Ford Escape parked near the home was also burning at the time. The fire had already consumed the roof, roof trusses, walls and wall studs of the structure.
“Crews made an aggressive exterior attack and extinguished the fire bringing it under control in approximately 15 minutes,” said fire chief Bill Albus.

Information was received through the family that the elderly couple should be at the residence if the Escape was there. Crews then dug through the debris, locating both victims and a dog.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal Office was notified along with the Audrain County Coroner who both responded to the scene. Investigation into the cause of the fire is still pending.
Little Dixie Fire Protection District responded with two engines, three tankers, a rescue truck and 14 fire personnel. Approximately 10,000 gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire.

Names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of all relatives. Little Dixie Fire would like to express condolences and prayers to the family.