This morning at 6:54 a.m. the Boone County Fire District responded to a residential structure fire located at 7101 Ray Lea Lane S. which is southeast of Columbia just off Highway 163. The 911 caller stated that his house was on fire and that he was unable to get out. This information was relayed to responding units. The caller stated that the chair was on fire and that his legs won’t work. Smoke alarms could be heard in the background of the 911 call.

As units were responding, heavy black smoke was visible from a mile away. When firefighters on Engine 1501 arrived, just seven minutes after dispatch, they found a trailer house on fire with flames coming from the living room windows. Firefighters made a very aggressive interior attack through the front door while flames were rolling over their heads. Firefighters were able to knock the fire down very quickly and did a rapid primary search of the residence. The victim, John Shettlesworth age 57, was found lying on the floor in the living room near some furniture. Unfortunately the victim was deceased. One dog was also found deceased in a back bedroom.

The Boone County Fire District along ...