4 Dead, 2 Injured in 4-Alarm Residential Fire in De Soto
Photo Credit: De Soto Rural Fire Protection District

(De Soto) Several fire crews from Jefferson and surrounding counties rushed to the 500 block of Vineland School Road in De Soto early Sunday morning in response to a 4-alarm residential fire.

According to De Soto Rural Fire Protection District Chief Tom Fitzgerald, the fire was reported around 2am.

Hillsboro City Building Inspector, 76-year-old Joe Detter, his wife, 74-year-old Frances Detter, daughter 37-year-old Sherri Detter and granddaughter 18-year-old Kerri Detter were all killed in the fire.

The family dog also perished in the blaze. Chief Fitzgerald says two people were able to escape from the home.

firefighters were able to get the fire under control around 5 Sunday morning.

14 fire agencies from Jefferson County and neighboring Washington and St. Francois Counties assisted De Soto Rural Fire with the 4-alarm call.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

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