A fire heavily damaged the Darren and Connie Gaston home in the 4500 block of Kell Road about a mile west of Kell Thursday night.
Assistant Kell Fire Chief Jason Franke was first on the scene and reported the home was heavily involved in flames. Connie Gaston was home at the time but was out on the fire department’s arrival. However, she reported her two dogs were still inside.
After getting most of the fire knocked down quickly, firemen began searching for the dogs. During the search, drywall from the ceiling fell on firefighters causing the two to become separated. A MAYDAY was called, but firefighters were able to regain contact with one another and exit the building without injury before a Salem Fire Department response intervention team entered the building.
At that point, firefighters moved to a defensive attack from the outside of the home and brought the fire under control. The search for the dogs then resumed with one found alive that was taken outside for first aid measures. The second dog was never located. Since doors were open to the home when firefighters arrived, they are hopeful the second dog was able to get out prior to the fire becoming so widespread in the home.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. Power was out in the area following the severe thunderstorms that had passed over earlier.
In an update on Connie Gaston, the fire department has been told she sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation. She was taken to the hospital for treatment but has since been released.
Firefighters received mutual assistance from Salem, Centralia Fire Protection District, City of Centralia Firemen, Iuka, Odin, and Jefferson Fire. Kell Road was shut down from Route 37 to Jefferson Street in Kell during the duration of the fire. Water was shuttled from a hydrant in Kell to the fire scene.
The fire call came in at 9:20 on Thursday night. Firemen cleared the scene just before one Friday morning.
