Two-alarm fire destroys Libertyville home

A two-alarm fire destroyed a Libertyville home Friday evening. The cause was still undetermined at press time.

Wolf Creek Fire Department Chief John Snyder said two occupants were home at the time of the fire, cooking in the kitchen, when smoke alarms went off. The residents discovered the basement of the home fully engulfed in flames at that time.

Snyder said his department first received the call at 5:15 p.m. to respond to the scene at Old Jackson and Wesley Chapel Roads in southern St. Francois County.

Departments from Farmington, Park Hills, Desloge, Bismarck, Leadington, Doe Run, Wolf Creek and Big River all responded to offer manpower and water support.

Within minutes the fire was under control, but Snyder called the damage “a total loss.”

A fire marshall was requested. The fire appeared to have started in the basement, officials on the scene said, but the actual cause is still under investigation.