The Mexico Public Safety Department responded to two different fire incidents over the weekend. On Saturday, at approximately 3:16 p.m., a Mexico resident found a fire burning in adjoining backyards of three houses in the 1600 block of South Western Street, according to a news release. Firefighters said the fire possibly started while residents were outside working.
No one was injured in the fire; however, the fire damaged the privacy fencing along the property lines, a swimming pool and some honey bee brood boxes, according to the news release. On Sunday, at approximately 11:56 a.m., the Mexico Public Safety Department responded to a second fire incident in the 1600 block of Omar Street.
A Mexico resident found that a higher voltage power line had come down in a yard, apparently after a squirrel had damaged a ceramic insulator, according to the news release. MPSD kept people from the arcing line and extinguished small fires involving a privacy fence, a bush, and the utility pole itself. Ameren arrived at approximately 12:54PM, shut down power to the line, and took over the scene for repair work. No individuals were injured in this incident.
