Fire at encampment burns billboard along Highway 50 in Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A fire that started in an encampment damaged a large chunk of an advertising billboard along Highway 50 in Jefferson City on Sunday night, according to the fire department.

Firefighters were called out at about 11:30 p.m. to a camp in the 1400 block of westbound Highway 50, the Jefferson City Fire Department stated in a news release. They found a fire "involving materials and a small structure" at the camp, JCFD stated.

About 20% of the billboard was burned in the fire, and electrical service to the board was disconnected because of damage to the wiring, according to JCFD.

Firefighters used a drone with thermal imaging to examine the camp for people, but no one was located. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Open burning is illegal in Jefferson City limits.