On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m.the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to an explosion and subsequent house fire in rural Butler, Mo.
Upon
arrival, first responders were met with a fully engulfed home. 5 people were
reported to be residing at the residence. 3 of the 5 occupants were able to
make it out of the house, however 2 children, both age 2, were not able to be
immediately rescued. Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from
additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in
the residence. Both children were eventually
pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene. The three people that were able to make it
out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment.
The fire is
being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State
Fire Marshal’s Office.
The
following agencies responded to assist with the efforts: Bates County Sheriffs
Office, Butler Police Department, Adrian Police Department, Missouri State
Highway Patrol, Bates County EMS, Butler Fire Department, Adrian Fire
Department, Rich Hill Fire Department, Bates County Coroner, Missouri State
Fire Marshal’s Office, Central Cass Fire Department and the Bates County Victim
Advocate.
“Our hearts
go out to the families and friends of these children. Please keep them all in your prayers as they
will have a rough road ahead” says
Sheriff Anderson.
