Central Fire Protection District crews battled a residential fire Thursday night that destroyed a home occupied by a woman and her 3-year-old daughter in the 3500 block of County Road 318 in Callaway County. No one was injured.
Ronnie Huff, Central District assistant fire chief, said the structure was a total loss but firefighters arrived soon enough to permit salvaging personal effects stored in drawers.
The residence is owned by Leigh Wohlers and occupied by his sister, Ashley Wohlers, and her daughter.
The American Red Cross Heart of Missouri Chapter provided financial resources to the family to meet their immediate emergency needs in order to purchase food and clothing.
Wohlers and her daughter also received Red Cross comfort kits, a stuffed animal and referrals to two partner agencies in Callaway County.
The pair is staying temporarily with relatives who live nearby.
Huff said when firefighters arrived flames were visible from the roof of the structure and smoke was coming from the entire roof.
"We had 18 firefighters respond from the Central Fire Protection District," he said. "The structure is seven miles from the Central Station. We arrived quickly after the call we received at 5:34 p.m. Thursday."