The cause of a fatal mobile home fire last weekend at Peace Valley remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Patrick Wiklund, Sr., perished as a result of the blaze. First Christian Church of West Plains, where a family member of Wiklund’s is employed, is accepting donations of funds to benefit the family.
First Christian Church Pastor Rick Rutledge said the surviving family members’ housing and other immediate needs are being met, but the family is taking it “day by day” and may need funds moving forward.
Rutledge said he is not aware of an organized fundraiser, but checks to benefit the family may be sent to First Christian Church, 422 W. Main St., West Plains, MO, 65775, with “Wiklund Family” in the memo line.
Fire officials are not releasing the names of the surviving family members; Howell County Coroner Tim Cherry identified Patrick Wiklund, Sr., as the man who perished in the fire.
At about 8 a.m. June 17, firefighters with the Peace Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Howell County Rural Fire Protection District and the Pomona Fire Protection District were dispatched to a home on County Road 1940 in Peace Valley for a report of a structure fire, according to information released by Missouri Department of Public Safety Communications Director Mike O’Connell.
En route, firefighters were advised a person was possibly trapped in the home, which was reportedly fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
The Division of Fire Safety has listed the fire cause and an exact point of origin as undetermined due to the extent of damage to the mobile home, according to O’Connell. The fire is not considered suspicious and a final report will take weeks to complete, O’Connell said.
However, he added, field investigators learned Thursday morning that during the fire, a large oxygen tank exploded and the blast was reported to be heard as far away as 10 miles from the scene.
Investigation showed the fire originated within the trailer, with one person killed in the fire and two others treated for injuries at a hospital, O’Connell reported.
Information on the conditions of those injured was unavailable as of press time Thursday.
