An incendiary fire that is under investigation injured a Joplin resident on Wednesday night and caused minor injury to a firefighter in an explosion caused by the blaze.
Douglas Hull, 54, one of six residents at 301 S. Pearl Ave., was injured by burns and smoke inhalation and was taken to Freeman Hospital. He later transferred to a Springfield hospital burn unit, according to the Joplin Fire Department.
Captain Scott Hubler sustained a minor injury in the explosion when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel, according to Chief James Furgerson. He said Hubler was treated at the scene and returned to duty.
Firefighters responded at 6:25 p.m. and found the garage and rear of the two-story house heavily involved in flames. All of the residents had escaped the blaze.
Eight units and 18 firefighters brought the fire under control in about 60 minutes. They were on the scene a total of about 3 1/2 hours.
The chief said there is severe damage to the house, which will probably be a total loss. The residents are displaced and are receiving temporary housing assistance by the Red Cross.
The fire appears to be from an incendiary cause and is under investigation by Joplin police and the fire marshal, according to the chief. METS Ambulance assisted fire and police at the scene.
