Fire That Destroyed Missouri Nursing Home Ruled Accidental, Linked to Cigarette

VIENNA, Mo. — State investigators have ruled that a fire which destroyed a Missouri nursing home earlier this year was accidental, though officials say it was sparked by a discarded cigarette smoked by the town’s police chief.

The blaze occurred during the early morning hours of Aug. 7 at Vienna Point Residential Care Center, where firefighters arrived to find the structure fully engulfed, with flames venting through the roof.

According to a report from the Missouri State Fire Marshal, strong winds and a limited water supply prevented crews from stopping the fire from spreading. No injuries were reported, but the building was declared a total loss.

The cause of the fire was initially listed as undetermined due to the extent of the damage. However, the investigation was updated on Nov. 5 after insurance investigators provided security video footage from the night of the fire.

The video shows Shannon Thompson, chief of the Vienna Police Department, arriving at the facility just before midnight on Aug. 6 in response to an accidental 911 call. The footage shows Thompson smoking a cigarette and placing it in a planter near the front entrance before leaving the property.

Several minutes later, Thompson is seen returning briefly to the planter area before departing again. About 90 minutes after his final departure, the video shows a small glow developing inside the planter. The glow later ignites into open flames, which spread to the entrance of the building and ultimately consumed the structure.

Investigators said Thompson told them he believed he had extinguished the cigarette before leaving and did not think it could start a fire. He also noted that the cigarette he smoked was designed to self-extinguish.

Despite those statements, investigators concluded the fire originated when the cigarette was placed near combustible materials, and smoldering embers went unnoticed.

The fire marshal ruled the incident accidental.

Even so, officials say Thompson could still face potential charges. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether charges will be filed.

The investigation remains closed pending any prosecutorial review.