Joplin man killed in residential fire at 2902 McConnell

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

On Friday April 13, 2018, Engine 4C, Engine 3C, Rescue 4C, Ladder 5C and Battalion 1C responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 2902 McConnell at 6:03 PM. 

The first arriving crew arrived on scene at 6:08 PM and found a one-story residential structure with heavy fire coming from the front of the residence. 

Crews made a transitional attack on the fire when they were notified that there was possibly someone still inside the residence. Crews immediately entered the residence and began a search and were able to find and remove the victim from the residence. Fire was brought under control at approximately 6:18 PM and extinguished at 6:45.

Crews made a transitional attack on the fire when they were notified that there was possibly someone still inside the residence. Crews immediately entered the residence and began a search and were able to find and remove the victim from the residence. Fire was brought under control at approximately 6:18 PM and extinguished at 6:45.

Fifty-five-year-old Michael Blood was transported to Freeman West and later to a burn unit in Springfield where overnight he succumbed to his injuries.

The Fire Department was assisted by the Joplin Police Department, Metro Emergency Transport System and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.

There were no injuries to firefighting crews.

The preliminary cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike but remains under investigation and a follow up investigation will be done at the first of the week with City of Joplin Fire Marshall and Missouri Division of Fire Safety.