Name of victim identified in Webb City house fire

(From the Webb City Fire Department)

One person died in a house fire last night at 604 South Oronogo Street. There were no other occupants in the residence at the time.

The Webb City Fire Department responded at 22:16 to the address and arrived at 22:19 to a one-story single-family residence.

Heavy smoke was coming from the house upon arrival.

Rescue and firefighting operations began immediately.

Auto-Aid units from Joplin Fire Department and Duenweg Fire Department assisted with the fire and rescue operations.

Webb City Police Department and METS Ambulance Service assisted with scene control and medical operations.

During interior search procedures, fire crews found one adult male unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Jasper County Coroner's office.

Wyatt J. Fieker, 50, Webb City, was identified as the victim. The cause of death is pending the Jasper County Coroner's report after autopsy. It has not been determined whether the property had working smoke alarms at the time of the fire.

The fire was extinguished as of 22:50. The Webb City Fire Department is investigating the cause and origin of the fire which is believed to be accidental. The Missouri State Fire Marshal Division is assisting in the investigation.

The Webb City Fire Department urges all citizens to maintain a working smoke alarm in their place of residence. Check smoke alarms once a month and change the battery when you change your clocks. Always have a plan of escape in case there is a fire.