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WINFIELD, Mo.  (KTVI) – Tuesday night  around 6 p.m.  Lincoln County Firefighters were dispatched to the old Snow Hill Truss building at 1989 S. Hwy W for a reported structure fire with  a report of a person trapped. On arrival, Firefighters found the 16,000 square foot commercial building fully involved. Firefighters quickly contacted bystanders who said that a man was inside a camper trailer that was parked under a lean-to attached to the building. At this point, the camper had been heavily consumed by fire. ” I walked out my back door.  I heard what sounded like  a gun going off, I looked up and seen black smoke, ” said the victim’s neighbor , Allison Rodgers.

Firefighters immediately began a search in the area of the camper and located the remains of a man.” No one needs to die for no reason especially not like that. I just  can not imagine  what it would be like to be engulfed in flames ,” said Lincoln County Resident , James Ellis.
Currently, the Lincoln County Coroner is working to positively identify the remains, determine the cause of death as well as locate and notify next of kin. ” As a firefighter no one wants to see is a fatal fire . It certainly does not only impact the family but the community as well, said Barry Nuss, Spokesperson for the  Lincoln County Fire Marshall’s Office.
During firefighting operations, a Winfield-Foley Firefighter sustained a leg injury when a portion of the building collapsed. He was transported by Lincoln County Ambulance to Lincoln County Medical Center where he was treated and released. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation with the assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. Currently, there is no indication of suspicious activity.
Firefighters from many area districts worked the fire Tuesday and continue working to extinguish the fire Wednesday.

Fire officials say the victim had permission to park his camper on the property.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

  • Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1