Governor Blunt to Tour Fatal Fire Scene

Governor Blunt plans to tour the scene of one of the worst fire tragedies in Missouri history, the Anderson Guest House in which 10 residents died and 25 were injured in an overnight fire. The governor’s spokesman, Brian Hauswirth, says Blunt will be briefed by other state officials who are at the scene. State Fire Marshal Randy Cole is on the scene along with State Highway Patrol Colonel James Keathley and Department of Public Safety Director Mark James. Hauswirth says the governor wants to hear first-hand what happened. The Anderson Guest House serves both mentally ill and elderly residents. Thirty-three residents and two staff members were at the home at the time of the fire. The dead ranged in age from the early 20s to the elderly. No names have been released. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.