A Cole County family lost their home to a fire Thursday, as well as a family member who was killed in an auto accident as he raced to the scene of the fire.
A structure fire was reported just before 4 p.m. in the 14100 block of Route V. Firefighters from the Russellville/Lohman Fire Protection District were sent to the scene and were later joined by Cole County Fire Protection District crews.
A woman and her two grandsons, ages 12 and 9, were able to get out of the modular home, which was on fire.
According to fire department reports, the investigation determined the boys were playing with matches or a candle, and it caught a bed on fire.
The fire spread from there, but crews were able to contain the fire in that room. There was major smoke and heat damage throughout the rest of the home so fire officials ruled the home a total loss.
While the fire was being fought, the oldest son of the homeowners was contacted about the fire and was trying to get back to the home when he was involved in a car accident.
The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that Anthony Gilpin, 39, Jefferson City, was on Route C, west of Stringtown Station Road, just after 4:30 p.m. The patrol report shows Gilpin was driving at a high rate of speed when he passed another vehicle on the right outside shoulder of Route C.
He lost control of his vehicle, skidded across both lanes of C and overturned multiple times.
Gilpin, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
His passenger, Fredrick Cundiff, 41, Jefferson City also was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. As of Friday morning, he was listed in critical condition at University Hospital in Columbia.
The Red Cross has provided the family with financial assistance to meet their immediate needs. Agency officials said family members were staying with relatives while they look for a new place to live.