Royal Heights fire stems from attempt to thaw frozen pipe

There was a serious structure fire in Joplin today.

It happened a little after 8 in the morning at 2519 N. Florida in the Royal Heights neighborhood

The fire began, according to the Joplin Fire Department, when residents there were trying to unthaw a pipe beneath a sink.

Fire spread all the way to the roof of the two-storey structure.

The fire was totally contained after about 3 hours.

There were lots of problems in single-digit temperatures with freezing hoses, slick surfaces, even a frozen hydraulic system on a ladder.

There were no injuries.