Fire heavily damaged a home northeast of Mt. Vernon Sunday afternoon.
Jefferson Fire officials say the fire was at the Melanie Cross home at 14809 Knox Road. Cross was not home but discovered smoke in the home when looking at her security camera on her phone.
First arriving Mt. Vernon City Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the eaves and front door. Both Mt. Vernon and Jefferson Fire were never able to gain entry to the home due to heavy fire and the eventual collapse of the floor into the basement.
Firemen did keep the fire from going through the roof.
The cause of the fire is not suspicious but could not be pinpointed. A state deputy fire marshal will look over the fire scene to try and learn more.
Firemen received the fire alarm about noon Sunday and were on the scene for four hours.
Bluford, Wayne City, Centralia Fire Protection District, Kell, and Iuka Firemen were also called for mutual aid. They helped bring water from the north side of Mt. Vernon. Jefferson Fire reported lack of water was never a problem.
Centralia City, McLeansboro, and Benton Firemen all stood by at the Jefferson Fire Station in the event of another fire.
