CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — The Mid-County Fire District has released more information about a fire that decimated a local landmark on Tuesday.
According to Chief Scott Frandsen, the district was called to the fire on Castleview Road at 4:29 p.m. The flames could reportedly be seen from Camdenton. The 14,000-square-foot, four-story mansion known as “Castle In The Clouds” was fully engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived, the chief said. The house, which recently functioned as an alternative healing center, sits on a bluff overlooking the Niangua Lake near Tunnel Dam.
photo courtesy Mid County Fire Protection District
Frandsen said the building collapsed within 20 minutes of crews’ arrival.
Tuesday’s strong winds blew embers across the region, starting multiple brush fires—some a quarter-mile away from the burning building.
A second alarm was called and crews continued to arrive on the scene to help extinguish the fires. Frandsen said about 50,000 gallons of water were used.
The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire, Frandsen said, but he noted several pets perished in the flames, and 30 acres were burnt. Crews cleared the scene by 9 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Camden County Sheriff’s Department.
