Tuesday, June 9, 2015

HUSBAND AND WIFE KILLED IN MIAMI COUNTY, KS FIRE





JUNE 9, 2015

MIAMI COUNTY, KS (KCTV)

The identifications aren't expected until Tuesday, but neighbors fear that a Miami County couple died inside their home Monday morning.

Investigators pulled two bodies from the rubble on Monday. No one has heard from Mike and Sandy Jerden since the fire.

Authorities can't say if the couple was home at the time of the fire.

The first body was found about 1:30 p.m., while the second was found just after 5 p.m. Monday.

This comes after a 911 call was received about 7:45 a.m. Monday by the Miami County Sheriff's Office reporting a structure fire in the 3400 block of West 239th Street. Drivers headed by as late as 7:30 a.m. didn't see anything amiss.

Units responded from Louisburg Fire Department, Paola Fire Department, Johnson County Fire District No.2, Miami County EMS and the Miami County Sheriff's Office.

The first arriving units arrived found fire in two buildings and one vehicle involved. The buildings were engulfed in flames. 

Jim Gast desperately tried to save the two inside the burning home. He saw their vehicles outside.

"I just knew that they were probably inside," he recalled.

Gast and another neighbor tried to force the locked back door open.
"We did kick the door in, and we couldn't get in any further because of the flames and the smoke," Gast said. "There was nothing we could do."

He said he felt so helpless, knowing he wanted to help but didn't have the equipment to do so.

Once volunteer firefighters arrived, they helped with the hoses.

The couple has lived in the home for more than a decade. Mike Jerden, who served in the Marines, was known as an excellent drywall man. His friendly wife was well-regarded at a grocery store in Stanley.

"They were good friends, and we hate this to happen to neighbors out here," Gast said.

The Miami County undersheriff said he expects investigators to be on the scene Tuesday as they work to determine a cause.

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June 9, 2015

MIAMI COUNTY, MO (KCTV)

The smiles were more forced Tuesday at the subdued Price Chopper at 151st Street and Metcalf Avenue.

While official confirmation still waits, Sandy Jerden's co-workers believe she and her husband, Mike, were killed in a fire that consumed their home early Monday. Two bodies were pulled from the rubble and identities were expected to be completed on Tuesday, which would allow authorities to notify next of kin.

Authorities are also examining the rubble of the house and the adjacent barn to determine what started the fire.

So many friends and co-workers have called Sandy Jerden's cell phone that the voicemail is now full.

Cheryl Keller, human resource manager for the Price Chopper store where she worked, said everyone is devastated, saying Sandy Jerden was beloved by her co-workers and customers.

"There were no strangers to her, only new friends," Keller said.

Deli manager Brett Evans concurred.

"She knew everybody who walked through and if she didn't know them then she made a point to know them," Evans said.

Sandy Jerden was off Monday. She was exchanging thoughts with a friend via Facebook at 6:42 a.m. Monday. Everything seemed OK with Sandy Jerden joking.

At 7:49 a.m., those in the area seeing the flames and smoke called 911. Neighbors tried to force their way into the home but the smoke was too thick and the flames raged out of control.

A frantic phone call was made to the Price Chopper.

"A neighbor called here looking for her to let her know her house was on fire and we let them know she was not working (Monday) so then we call tried calling and leaving messages," Keller said. "Sandy will be missed by many."