The official cause of a Friday evening duplex fire that left one person dead has not been released, according to Kevin Coffelt, Fulton Fire Department chief.
"The cause of the fire is still under investigated," he said on Monday. "We're still waiting for some test results to come back."
The fire was reported at 903 Nichols St., Apartment B, shortly after 4 p.m. Five fire engines responded to the scene and 20 fire personnel.
Upon arrival, firefighters saw heavy smoke and flames showing from the north side of the single-story brick duplex. Neighbors reported the occupant was probably inside.
Due to the intense conditions inside, fire crews knocked down flames from the exterior of the residence before entering the structure.
There, they found the resident, Stephen Rives, 67, who was unconscious. Firefighters carried him out through a window and EMS crew started patient care, but Rives was pronounced dead at the scene.
It took fire crews around 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.
An occupant was inside the other apartment at the duplex and made it out safely, according to Coffelt. American Red Cross was called to assist that with her personal needs. Apartment B received extreme fire damages, but apartment A received only moderate smoke damage.
The fire has been investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office, Fulton Fire Department and Fulton Police, and is not considered suspicious at this time.
Damages are estimated to be $50,000.
Callaway County Ambulance District was on scene for patient care and firefighter rehab operations. Fulton Police and Missouri Highway Patrol assisted with traffic and crowd control. Central Callaway Fire Protection District provided auto-aid.