On Thursday morning at 10:36 the Clinton Fire Department responded to a structure fire with a person possibly trapped inside at 213 W Benton. Upon arrival firefighters witnessed moderate smoke coming from a second floor window. Firefighters made entry into the house and began an initial search of the house. As firefighters advanced up the stairway to the second floor they encountered intense heat and were forced to retreat back down. A hose line was advanced into the structure and up the stairs to protect firefighters as they continued their search. Once the search was completed and nobody was found firefighters then attacked the fire. While firefighters were attacking the fire and a secondary search was underway, it was learned that all occupants of the home had made it out and were safely across the street. The fire was brought under control within fifteen minutes of arriving on scene and damages to the structure are estimated at 25,000 dollars.
One person was transported to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation. Three dogs were also rescued from the home by firefighters and Clinton Code Enforcement Officer. It was latter learned by fire officials that Missouri State Highway Patrol Driver Examiner Timothy Murphy, noticed the fire while administering a driving test. Murphy approached the house and found that there were three people still in the house and helped them all to safety.
