One dead after downtown Hannibal fire
HANNIBAL, MO. — One person is dead after a fire broke out at an apartment building in the 600 block of Broadway in Hannibal early Saturday morning.
KHQA spoke directly with Hannibal Fire Department Chief Sean Hampton who says the investigation is still ongoing.
The Missouri State Fire Marshall was on scene working with crews to determine the cause of the fire.
"I spotted the fire thought I'd help, went and got firefighters water, picked up trash so no trip hazards anything I can do to help," said Hannibal Resident Ron Duncan.
It was a chaotic morning in downtown Hannibal.
All hands were on deck as more than 20 firefighters battled a fire blazing through one building, damaging neighboring ones.
"I'm overwhelmed, I don't know it's a question a mark I don't know how much damage I have in there, or how much work I have to do, I just remodeled the place that everybody loves so good, and last night we had a wedding that everybody told me sent messages that they loved it and enjoyed it and now this happened," explained Rialto Banquet Center Owner Hong Kilmer.
Community members gathered at the scene, astonished.
"I pray and wish for the family to pull together and community be strong and any donations need to be dropped off, drop off at the water hole on Martin Street," said Duncan.
At this time the cause of the fire remains unknown, however there is one confirmed fatality.
Chief Sean Hampton says officials are still on scene digging through debris.
"Our biggest concern with this fire is just its location to close exposure to buildings attached directly to it, so we're working to keep fire contained in original building that it started in and by doing so far that we've been keeping it from spreading to those nearby structures, we've gotten some smoke but no fire damage at this time," said Chief Hampton.
"They have more damage than I did so thank you to all the police and the fire department they did a terrific job, I really want to say so many thank you to them, they did a great job saved our building. so thank you. thank you to my community church, thank everybody," said Kilmer.
