A child playing with what fire officials believe was a lighter is believed to have caused a fire that severely damaged a Jefferson City home, Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., fire crews were called to 216 Argonne Street, which is at the intersection of Francis Street.
When fire fighters got on the scene, they found fire coming out of the front of the home and had to get that out before they could make entry.
Prior to the fire crews arriving on the scene, all those who were inside of the home had gotten out safely.
It took only a few minutes for fire crews to get the fire out, but the fire had already done significant damage.
Fire officials said the first and second floor of the home suffered substantial damage and there was heavy water damage in the basement.
According to the Jefferson City/Cole County GIS system, the home was built in 1910.
The fire was found to have started in a mattress, believed to have been lit by one of the children in the home, in a first floor bedroom.
The Cole County Health Department is just down the street from the home and the residents who had been inside were taken there and given food and shelter while the fire fighters battled the fire.
The Red Cross was called in to help the residents. Three adults and five children were staying in the home.
EARLIER COVERAGE
Fire crews responded to a house fire at the corner of Argonne and Francis streets Thursday afternoon.
All occupants were outside of the house by the time firefighters arrived on scene. Black smoke billowed out of the residence as firefighters knocked out windows and focused their efforts on the main floor to put out the fire.
More details will be released as they are available.