Photo courtesy of Johnson County Fire Protection District

A structure fire late Friday, Nov. 14 in northern Johnson County claimed the life of an area man.

The Johnson County Fire Protection District responded to the blaze around 10:30 p.m. Friday, after neighbors reported seeing flames coming from a home on Northwest 201 Road, in the Fayetteville area. Firefighters discovered that the fire had involved a residence, multiple outbuildings, and surrounding natural cover. After extinguishing the fire, crews discovered the body of a man they later identified as 89-year-old Walter McGirl.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office currently lists the cause of the fire as undetermined. Personnel from five fire stations across the district responded, along with the Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, Johnson County Ambulance, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.