Sprinkler System, Aggressive Fire Attack Help Prevent Larger Loss At Moscow Mills Apartments
- John Eads
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. — About 15 firefighters, a working sprinkler system and an aggressive overnight attack helped prevent a second-alarm apartment fire from becoming a much larger loss early Thursday morning in Moscow Mills.
Lincoln CountyWatch was on scene as emergency crews battled the fire near Killdeer Circle and Mette Road, where heavy flames could be seen coming from the third floor of the apartment building shortly after midnight on July 9.
The first alert was issued at 12:40 a.m. as crews worked the second-alarm fire and a wrecker was requested to begin moving vehicles from the area to give firefighters room to operate.
Lincoln County Fire Protection District Chief Curtis VanGaasbeek told Lincoln CountyWatch crews arrived to find heavy fire showing from a third-floor balcony on the rear of the building. Two apartments were ultimately involved, with the fire threatening to spread into the attic and across the roof.
Despite an issue with the first hydrant crews attempted to use, firefighters quickly established a water supply from another hydrant nearby and brought the fire under control.
No injuries were reported.
A working sprinkler system inside the building played a major role in preventing the fire from spreading more rapidly during those critical opening minutes.
The sprinkler system did not extinguish the fire, but it kept the flames in check long enough for crews to reach the third floor and complete the attack.
Fire reaching the attic of a large apartment building can quickly lead to the loss of an entire roof or significantly more of the structure. That did not happen Thursday morning.
VanGaasbeek said approximately 15 firefighters handled the incident, considerably fewer than the 30 to 40 personnel that may respond to a similar fire in neighboring St. Charles County.
"They worked their tails off and did a really great job and just showed a great commitment to the citizens of Lincoln County," VanGaasbeek said.
The entire 18-unit building was evacuated after crews arrived. Approximately 12 to 14 residents were displaced, while four apartments directly beneath the third floor were left uninhabitable because of fire, smoke and water damage.
The American Red Cross and local resources were contacted to help displaced residents find shelter for the night.
Other residents in the affected building were eventually allowed to return to their apartments after firefighters conducted air monitoring and determined those areas were safe.
Questions surfaced on social media from other tenants in the complex who said they were not personally notified about the fire during the overnight hours.
VanGaasbeek explained that firefighters evacuated the entire building affected by the fire, but neighboring buildings within the complex were never considered to be in danger and did not require evacuation.
The response brought together several departments from across the region. Wentzville, Hawk Point and Winfield assisted at the scene, while Wright City sent a tanker with one firefighter. O'Fallon moved up to provide coverage at the local fire station while crews remained committed to the apartment fire.
The initial hydrant used by firefighters presented problems, forcing crews to move to a backup hydrant a short distance from the apartment building. Once the secondary water supply was established, crews continued the attack and successfully contained the fire.
VanGaasbeek praised the response as a team effort and credited the firefighters on scene for preventing what could have become a much more significant loss.
No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters.
The cause of the fire was not immediately available.
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Primary Sources
Lincoln County Fire Protection District Chief Curtis VanGaasbeek
Lincoln CountyWatch on-scene coverage and emergency alerts
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