No injuries reported in Nichols Street fire

Fulton fire crews were able to control the blaze in the 900 block of Nichols Street within 20 minutes of arriving, according to Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt.
Fulton fire crews were able to control the blaze in the 900 block of Nichols Street within 20 minutes of arriving, according to Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt.

All occupants escaped an intense fire on the 900 block of Nichols Street early Monday morning, Fulton Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt said.

The occupants were notified of the fire by their neighbors and made it out uninjured with their three pets, he added.

The Fulton Fire Department was called to the scene at 12:38 a.m. and found a single-story residential building showing heavy smoke and flames. Fire crews had the blaze under control in under 20 minutes, Coffelt said.

Damage appeared extensive, with a large portion of the residence charred black.

"It looks bad," said Marshall Chambers, son of the homeowner.

He said his mother was still talking with the insurance adjuster to see what could be done.

"(At least) all the people and all the animals are safe," Chambers said.

He said friends and neighbors have been supporting the home's residents.

A home and a shed south of the fire received minor heat damage.

Central Callaway Fire Protection District, Callaway County Ambulance District, the Fulton Police Department and the Callaway County Sheriff's Department also responded.

Coffelt said the fire was likely caused by smoking materials on the residence's screened porch and it has been ruled accidental.

This is on the same block as another fire across the street on July 14.