Structure fire in Dupo
Multiple departments responded shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday to a structure fire in the 400 block of North 3rd Street near Mousette Avenue in Dupo.
Heavy flames were seen upon arrival, with multiple buildings and other items such as a camper on fire. A landscaping business is operated from that location. Explosions were heard near the onset of the incident.
Welding was taking place at the time of the incident. An ambulance responded to the scene for a patient with injuries.
Assisting Dupo fire and EMS at the scene included the Columbia, Prairie du Pont, Cahokia and Sauget fire departments.
Dupo Fire Chief Kelly Schaffer spoke with the Republic-Times on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that the page went out at 9:54 a.m. regarding a detached garage at a residence on North 3rd Street.
Schaffer reiterated the apparent cause of the fire was welding near a fuel tank in the garage, with an individual potentially working on lawn care equipment inside.
He said one individual suffered minor burns and was transported to an area hospital.
Schaffer further reported the garage was a total loss, with a vehicle also suffering damage as well as a camper that was parked in the driveway. Neighboring houses suffered from some melted siding, and there was further damage to electrical power supplies in the alley, downed power lines and a power pole that will need replacement.