Fire investigator provides update on Friday’s residential structure fire

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph Fire Department worked the scene of a structure fire Friday evening on North 24th Street.

The residential structure fire occurred near the intersection of North 24th and Jones streets. The initial call came in around 4:28 p.m. Friday, according to Casey Crockett, fire investigator with SJFD.

A reporter at the scene witnessed heavy smoke in the area and fire trucks blocking off the roadway. A video submitted to News-Press NOW showed flames engulfing a section of the structure around the back of the building.

According to Crockett on Monday, the back porch of 902 N. 24th St., which is where the fire is believed to have started, was completely destroyed and the rest of the unit has significant water and smoke damage.

The fire department also said one cat and one dog died in the fire. No injuries were reported during the incident and unknown number of other pets were rescued from the residence.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.