RNN News

June 21, 2026

Fatal Structure Fire and Successful Swiftwater Rescue

The Fair Grove Fire Protection District responded to two major concurrent emergencies last night, resulting in one tragic fatality and two successful swiftwater rescues.

Fatal Structure Fire
At approximately 9:52 PM, Fair Grove Fire crews were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire near Farm Road 22 and Highway E. While en route, responding units were notified of multiple explosions inside the home and reports of individuals potentially trapped within the structure.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a heavily involved house fire. Crews entered the burning structure for a search and rescue operation, successfully locating and extricating one individual. Tragically, the individual succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Concurrent Swiftwater Rescue
While all Fair Grove units were engaged at the scene of the structure fire, a second emergency occurred. At approximately 10:43 PM, a swiftwater rescue was dispatched on Highway CC. A vehicle carrying one adult and one child had been swept off a low-water bridge by rising floodwaters.

Due to the ongoing house fire, the Brookline Fire Protection District was providing mutual aid coverage at our Station 1. Their staged crew responded immediately to the scene.

The two occupants had been swept downriver toward Farm Road 20. Both individuals were successfully pulled from the water by a family member and treated for minor injuries.

The Fair Grove Fire Protection District extends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the individual lost in last night's fire.

We also want to extend our thanks to the following districts for all their aid in last nights events:
Strafford Fire Protection District
Ebenezer Fire Protection District
Brookline Fire Protection District
Greene County Sheriff's Office

TAKE COVER NOW! Hail and damaging winds happening now.

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
954 AM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for..
Southeastern Polk County in southwestern Missouri..
Northeastern Lawrence County in southwestern Missouri..
Greene County in southwestern Missouri..

* Until 1045 AM CDT.

* At 954 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Walnut Grove to Mount Vernon, moving east at 35
mph.

HAZARD.. 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE.. Radar indicated.

IMPACT.. Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include..
Springfield, Republic, Battlefield, Willard, Mount Vernon, Ash
Grove, Fair Grove, Walnut Grove, Pleasant Hope, Morrisville,
Brookline, Halltown, Chesapeake, Glidewell, Sacville, Ebenezer,
Bassville, Brighton, Bois D'arc, and Cave Springs.

This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 47 and 80.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS..

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Weather call link

https://ngorder.wxriskalerts.com/db_app2.php?station=rnwx&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQYE2VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeKlvbKMQdM8YAj9424KKEmzkGbKSQn-ElYurV3eeG47a5IZpOJw7ErSEMyYA_aem_ImGCVqk9ysJklUoIrBkQrQ

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