Fire leaves one dead in Callaway County

A fire at a residence near Steedman left one person dead Saturday.

In a news release, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office said fire crews responded to the 9000 block of State Road CC just after 8 p.m. for reports of the blaze.

Crews on scene determined the structure was occupied at the time of the fire, so the sheriff's office and Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office were called to assist.

According to the news release, one person was found dead inside the structure at 11:35 p.m. The victim was transported to the Boone-Callaway County Medical Examiner's Office.

Sheriff's deputies made preliminary next-of-kin notifications, but the identity of the victim is not yet being released.

ABC 17 News crews spoke with a friend of the victim who identified her as Billy. Tracy Hoffmann said she had known the victim for around four years.

"My husband's been helping her life 10 years with mowing and he would cut wood for her and trim trees when she needed it," Hoffmann said.

The house was a complete loss and was still smoldering on Sunday.

"We walked around the tape and we got I'm thinking a little too close in the back because when I walked up there a little explosion, it scared me, so I took off running," she said.

Deputies don't suspect any foul play.

An autopsy for the victim is scheduled for Nov. 5.