Four-story mansion destroyed by fire

The Missouri State Fire Marshal has completed the scene investigation of the Castleview fire. Due to the amount and extent of damage, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined
The Missouri State Fire Marshal has completed the scene investigation of the Castleview fire. Due to the amount and extent of damage, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined

The Mid-County Fire Protection District was dispatched to a residential structure fire Tuesday on Castleview Road, off Tunnel Dam Road, near the Camden/Laclede County line. At the time the units were dispatched, the flames were so intense they could be seen in the city of Camdenton.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the 14,000 square foot, four-story mansion fully involved in flame. The residence, known in the area as the Castle, sits atop a bluff overlooking the Niangua Lake near Tunnel Dam Mountain.

Due to the volume of fire involved, the arriving units began defensive operations; however, within 20 minutes the structure collapsed. The extremely strong winds in the area caused embers from the burning structure to set numerous brush fires as far away as one-quarter mile. A second alarm was sent out while the units on site worked to control the structure and brush fires.

Mid-County sent another engine, five tankers, three brush trucks and a ladder truck to the scene. The Camdenton Fire Department also responded with an engine; Eldridge Fire Protection District sent a tanker; Lebanon Rural Fire District sent a tanker; and so did Southwest Fire District. The Missouri Department of Conservation responded with two brush units and the Mercy Ambulance also responded to the site. The Osage Beach Fire Protection District moved units to Mid County Station 1 to cover calls while those units were at the scene.

The burning building was in a remote area of Camden County so water had to be shuttled from a storage tank at Mid County Fire's Station 6. It took about 50,000 gallons of water to bring the fire under control.

Although the fire was located outside the boundaries of the Mid-County Fire Protection District, firefighters from there nevertheless undertook the initial response. All fire units had cleared the scene by 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to the residents or firefighters; however, several pets in the structure were killed. The home was completely consumed and about 30 acres of surrounding natural cover was burned in the resulting brush fires.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal has completed the scene investigation of the Castleview fire. Due to the amount and extent of damage, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined.

The owner of the property has placed the loss amount of the structure and contents at approximately $10 million.