Cause of house fire under investigation

Several residents on North Roane Street escaped a fire early Friday morning that destroyed a house and damaged the two next to it.

The woman, who has rented for years at 403 N. Roane St., said her son woke up for another reason and then woke her up. They lost their dog, who crawled beneath the bed and couldn’t be coaxed out.

According to the Webb City Fire Department, there were four adults and three children who were able to escape the main fire.

They actually received the call, at 1:08 a.m., from the couple next door at 401 N. Roane St. One person got out safely from 409 N. Roane St.

Once they arrived, firefighters focused on protecting the adjacent houses, as well as putting out the fire at the house in the middle.

Firefighters were at the scene more than seven hours, during which time an investigation by the state was begun. The cause is still under investigation.

WCFD received mutual aid from four departments, Carl Junction, Duenweg, Joplin and Oronogo.