UPDATE: Cold temperatures create difficulties in Boone County fire

UPDATE: Freezing temperatures made controlling a house fire south of Hallsville more difficult for firefighters.

Lieutenant Stephen Dunkin of the Boone County Fire Protection District said the people living in the two-story home in the 11000 block of Burg Road made it out safely. However, the fire destroyed most of the house, Dunkin said, killing a dog and causing around $200,000 in damage.

While Dunkin did not know where the dog was found, the district believes the fire started in the garage and spread into the house just before 10 p.m. Cold temperatures made it difficult for the 20 firefighters to battle the flames, freezing their hoses and air tanks.

“The weather is hard on us,” Lt. Dunkin said. “Personnel, rehabbing, equipment is frozen. Air packs, it takes a lot longer to get refilled because they’re frozen tight.”

Lt. Dunkin said the district used 15,000 gallons of water to put the fire out. This involved frequent trips back to Hallsville, which had the nearest fire hydrant, to refill tanker trucks with water.

ORIGINAL: Emergency crews are responding to a fire south of Hallsville.

At least 15 units were called out just before 10:00 p.m. for the fire in the 11000 block of Burg Road.

ABC 17 News is headed to the scene and will bring you updates right here on abc17news.com

(Update, 1/7, 1:08 a.m.: This story has been updated from its pervious version, titled ‘Emergency crews respond to fire south of Hallsville.’)