Police release identity of men injured in fire

The identities of two people injured in a house fire in Nevada on March 29 have been released by Nevada police.

Capt. Casey Crain identified the men as Charles Horn, 35, of Nevada, and John Stanfell, 40, of Lamar.

Fire Chief Bill Thornton said the two men were in the house but had been taken to Nevada Regional Medical Center before firefighters and police officers arrived at the scene.

"They were gone when we got here," he said.

Crain said both men were taken to NRMC by Horn's wife. She and Stanfell's wife were also in the house when it caught fire.

A neighbor said a young couple lived in the property. According to records in the Vernon County recorder's office the property is owned by James and Norma Cory of Nevada.

Crain said the cause of the fire is the subject of an ongoing investigation.

"We believe there was criminal drug activity that contributed to the fire," he added.

Both men received what Thornton described as "life-threatening injuries" and were transported from NRMC to another facility. When two helicopter pilots had to turn back because of a thunderstorm, an ambulance transported the pair to the Mercy Burn Center in Springfield.

The burn center had not released any information as to the victims' condition at press time Friday.

Firefighters were first called to the scene at 219 S. Adams St. at 10:19 p.m. March 29 and found flames and heavy smoke coming through the roof when they arrived. Thornton said firefighters entered the residence and were able to contain the blaze to the second floor. Eleven firefighters and three vehicles were used to bring the fire under control within an hour. Damage was estimated at $60,000.