BALWIN, Mo. — A Christmas Eve emergency is forcing first responders in western St. Louis County to take action, drawing attention to hidden holiday dangers.
The fire broke out around 2 p.m. on Arbor Trails Drive in Ballwin, not far from Big Bend Boulevard. A family escaped a fire but their two dogs died.
The fire was contained to the kitchen where it started on the first floor, but smoke spread to other parts of the house. At least two elementary school students were at the home when the fire broke out.
“The family was home at the time, but they were able to escape,” said Capt. Matt Copping of the Metro West Fire Protection District.
Rescuers realized the pets were still inside and freed them, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
The family spent the rest of Christmas Eve trying to salvage what they could from inside.
“It’s definitely a difficult time today, like what this family is going through, with the fire in the house,” Copping said. “We’re trying to support them no matter what…their outside family members are already on scene helping them.”
Firefighters say the blaze highlights why holiday cooking can quickly become dangerous.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas Eve is one of the three most common days of the year for home cooking fires, behind only Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Fire officials urge people to stay in the kitchen when cooking, keep flammable items away from stoves and never cook if tired or affected. If a fire does break out, fire officials urge people to leave the house, close the door behind them and call 911.
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