OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Smoke could be seen rising from The Ledges condominiums on Saturday morning, as fire damaged an exterior deck. Authorities suspect the blaze was caused by burning insect-repellant stakes.
According to Osage Beach Fire Chief Jeff Dorhauer, crews were called to The Ledges at around 10:55 a.m. on Sept. 3. When they arrived, they found fire on an exterior deck on the third floor. The fire was extinguished, but due to the damage, condo management and occupants were warned not to use the third and fourth-floor decks at that unit, in their current condition. All units cleared the scene by 1:45 p.m., and no one was injured as a result of the blaze.
Dorhauer said it is suspected the fire was caused by an insect repellant stake, which is used similar to incense. It had allegedly been placed between the decking at a fourth-floor unit, and it is suspected that an ember fell between the decking into a concealed area between the units’ decks, starting the blaze. It is unknown how long the fire had smoldered before being discovered, Dorhauer noted, pointing out the fire had ultimately gotten between the walls that divide the decks.
He added, “It’s a good thing it showed itself during the day, instead of during the night.”
