EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — The Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire that left a family of six without a home.
Around 7:13 a.m. Sunday, a report of a structure fire came in for 31852 Lakecrest Drive.
Crews arrived to find the home in flames. Officials believe it had been burning for some time before it was called in.
Wood Heights Fire Protection District Chief Lee O'Dell called the fire suspicious.
"There was nobody in it, there were no utilities to the house, no electricity, no propane or anything like that," O'Dell said.
Crews from Lawson Fire, Excelsior Springs Fire, Richmond Fire, Fishing River Fire, Orrick Fire and the Ray County Sheriff’s Office responded.
John Hall told 41 Action News his family was about to move in to the home, which had been his parents house for five years. Now, he and his wife and four children have to find a new place to live.
Hall and his family had many family items in the house that they were devastated to lose.
"It's all irreplaceable stuff," Hall said. "It was all sentimental. My wife lost a bunch of her grandma's stuff that was in the house. All of my dad's tools that he gave me, it's all gone."
O'Dell said Wood Heights also is investigating a vacant trailer fire not far from the one from Sunday morning.
O'Dell said the other fire happened Oct. 21 near Crystal Lakes.
Anyone with information on either fire should contact Wood Heights Fire Chief Lee O'Dell or call the Missouri State Fire Marshal's tip line at 1-800-392-7766.
Family members have set up a donation page for the family who lost their home Sunday.
