Faulty wiring linked to Sturgeon fire

Investigators believe that a fire that severely damaged a Sturgeon home Thursday morning started in the ceiling and was probably caused by faulty electrical wiring.

Firefighters with the Boone County Fire Protection District responded to the blaze, at 411 W. Canada St., at around 10 a.m. The fire was under control in about 35 minutes, said Rob Brown, chief of staff for the fire protection district.

The home, owned by Steven and Mira Wootton, suffered significant structural damage. Lt. Carl Giacchi of the fire protection district said the house was close to a total loss, but he could not put a dollar amount on the damage.

At the time of the fire, Mira Wootton was the only one in the home. She awoke to smoke coming through the ceiling, Brown said. She called the fire department from a neighbor’s home. Wootton was checked by paramedics at the scene, but required no treatment. A Sturgeon public works crew saw the smoke and also called the fire department.