Fire damages historic Cleveland Apartments, cause still under investigation

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

At 1:17am this morning (May 12th), the Joplin 911 center was alerted to a reported fire in a structure near the intersection of 1st and Jackson. 

Joplin Fire units responded and found a two-story residential vacant structure well involved in fire. This structure was part of a three-building complex that had a shared attic space. 

Fire rapidly advanced from the first building to the other two through the common attic space. JFD personnel conducted a primary search of the complex to ensure there were no occupants then pulled crews out due to structural instability and mounted a defensive attack. 

Due to the volume of fire additional water supply was necessary, so a tanker shuttle operation was set up by several neighboring fire departments including Duenweg Volunteer Fire Department, Carl Junction Fire Protection District, Webb City Missouri Fire Department, Oronogo Fire District, Carthage Fire Department, Carterville Fire Department, Tri-Cities Fire Protection District, and Redings Mill Fire Protection District.

The fire was placed under control at 3:45am and there were no injuries. Additional assistance was provided by Joplin Police Department, Metro Emergency Transport System, and Joplin Public Works.
The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the Joplin Fire Marshal.

The Joplin Fire Department sincerely appreciated the help from our neighboring agencies during this event.