Two Fires Claim Two Lives in St. George, Missouri

St. George, Missouri is a sleepy little town just south of the St. Louis city limits. St. George is a small city with approximately 1300 residents, a pizza restaurant and a carpet and flooring company occupying .2 square miles of St. Louis County land. I-55 borders St. George on the east and thousands travel each day along Reavis Barracks Rd., the major thoroughfare that slices right through the middle of town, to reach the Interstate or other municipalities further to the north and west. As one can imagine with all this non-resident traffic moving through the city, the perfect speed trap emerged and traffic fines became a major source of revenue to fill the city coffers.

St. George has had its share of problems in recent years. St. George gained national attention in September 2007 when one of its police officers threatened to fabricate charges against a young motorist and a film clip of the incident was uploaded to You Tube. Political shenanigans led to the firing of several police officers and the chief. In October, 2007, then Mayor Harold Goodman, resigned amid allegations of drug possession and possession of child pornography. City officials ultimately voted to disband the St. George Police Department and turnover law enforcement duties to St. Louis County on a contract basis effective February 1, 2009.

But the residents of St. George make the city click. They hang in there for one another and give when faced with adversity. I have witnessed this outpouring of community solidarity in two recent and tragic events.

May 30th was a bright, sunny Saturday and as I was leaving the Southridge Condominium complex where I live, I noticed that the street was blocked by a fire truck and a burnt out metal hulk that was once an automobile. The firefighters were packing up there gear, rolling in their hoses in preparation to leave. A tow truck was on the scene. I didn't think much of it at the time, but learned later the next day that a 2 year old girl had died in what was described as a "freak accident." The driver had struck a metal pole which became lodged under the car, rupturing the gas tank causing the car to burst into flames. Attempts were made to rescue the child, but to no avail. Faith Elizabeth Miller tragically died in the fire. I did not personally know the family, but I had seen the bright vibrant little girl many times in the neighborhood.

On June 6th the neighbors assembled in the parking lot near the crash site to hold a benefit BBQ to assist Faith's family in their time of need. Nearby businesses donated food and equipment. They implemented a trust fund. A small memorial remains at the site, now covered with plastic to protect it from the rain, filled with flowers and fuzzy little stuffed animals reminding all of the tragedy.

Living adjacent to the Interstate, I constantly hear the sounds of sirens as emergency vehicles respond to accidents on the highway. They don't phase me, but having been a police officer in St. Louis city the sounds of emergency radio traffic will awaken me from a deep sleep. Such was the case on the night of June 8th. I heard the crackling of the radios and as I looked out the door leading to my balcony, I noticed police cars and fire trucks. I then smelled the smoke. I went to the balcony and observed numerous fire trucks down the street and the firefighters streaming water onto a building which houses eight town homes.

I left my apartment and joined the crowd of onlookers. I heard the chatter of the crowd. The town home was the residence of Mary K. Lavsa. Mary, 81, was well known in the community and a friend to all. She died in the fire approximately 500 feet from the location little Faith Miller died just days before.

Residents of the adjoining town homes were now displaced. The Red Cross was enroute, but before they arrived neighbors offered those forced out of their homes places to stay and clothes to wear.

In a few days tragedy struck twice and tested the mettle of the little community. Though St. George may have a tarnished reputation, the residents are a compassionate lot.

Sources:
http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=177092

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/6D021ACC4F515A51862575D0006EDCD8?OpenDocument