JFD responds to structure fire; three cats suffer fatal injuries

At approximately 6:43 a.m., the Joplin 911 center was notified of a possible structure fire at 126 S. Pearl Ave.  Firefighters arrived within three and a half minutes of being notified and found a residential apartment dwelling with smoke showing from the eaves and front door. The fire was controlled at 6:55 a.m.

The fire started in the kitchen area of one apartment and spread through that apartment into the attic space. The occupants of the involved apartment were not home at the time.

The second apartment was not involved. The Joplin Police Department was on the scene and assisted the occupant of the uninvolved apartment. American Red Cross has been contacted for three adult occupants of the two apartments.

There were 11 cats at the property. Six cats were removed from the apartment, three suffered fatal injuries and two are still missing.

The cause and origin of the fire were determined to be accidental in nature. Seven fire units responded with 19 personnel. No firefighters were injured, and Joplin Fire was assisted by the Joplin Police Department and METS Ambulance.