Five people including a child are dead after a fire broke out at an apartment building in southwest Missouri.The Wheaton Fire Department says fire crews found the victims in two separate units at the building.
Wheaton Fire Department responded about 3:23 a.m. Thursday to the Blue Ridge Apartments, 300 S. Hill Street. Fire crews arrived at the apartment within minutes and found victims in two separate units at the apartment complex.
Five people were found dead during firefighter searches of the buildings. Two adults and a child were found in one apartment, and two other adults were found in another apartment building.
The apartment complex, was made up of two separate, two-story, eight-unit buildings. One of the buildings was a complete loss. The Wheaton Fire Department was assisted by five local fire departments. The fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal.
Wheaton, Missouri (population 700) is located about 70 miles southwest of Springfield.
Rock Solid Baptist Church in Wheaton, Missouri has donated $1,000 to relief efforts, according to the Red Cross. Additional donations are accepted by visiting www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.