Fire destroys house in Raintree in HIllsboro area

This house on Waterford Drive in the Raintree Plantation subdivision in the Hillsboro area was destroyed by a fire.

Authorities believe a discarded cigarette butt caused a fire at a home in the 10000 block of Waterford Drive in the Hillsboro area. No people were injured, but a cat died in the June 4 blaze that destroyed the two-story house in the Raintree Plantation subdivision, Hillsboro Fire Chief Brian Gaudet said.

He also said a firefighter was treated for dehydration at the scene.

Gaudet said the Hillsboro Fire Protection District responded to a call about the fire at approximately 5:55 p.m., and when firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire throughout the attic. Crews entered and quickly brought the fire under control, but the house was a total loss.

In addition, a nearby house sustained minor roof damage from embers falling from the first house, Gaudet said.

He said at least one person lived in the house, but no one was home when the fire started.

"I do not know if the victim has somewhere to stay," Gaudet said.

He said the cause of the fire is not considered suspicious.

"We believe a cigarette butt was attempted to be extinguished in a flower pot on the deck," Gaudet said. "As dry as it is, it smoldered and caught fire and that caught the deck on fire."

He said firefighters remained on the scene until about 8:30 p.m.

Gaudet said Hillsboro firefighters have seen a number of fires that started on decks outside of homes in recent years, and he cautions people to be careful when barbecuing or smoking on a deck.

Ignited material, including fireworks, charcoal, cigarette and cigar butts, should be discarded in a metal bucket away from the house, he said.

The De Soto Fire Department and the Cedar Hill, Mapaville, De Soto Rural and High Ridge fire protection districts helped with the call, and the Valle Ambulance District responded to the scene, Gaudet said.

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