Family Devastated by Animal Loss in Knox City Structure Fire

By Echo Menges

Knox City, MO – Firefighters from the Knox City and Edina Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a structure fire off State Highway V Thursday afternoon.

The structure was located behind the home of Ron and Scarlett Leckbee on the north side of Knox City and housed dozens of animals, which were part of the families goal of a purebred Berkshire meat and show operation.

The Leckbee family was devastated to learn that all 62 animals, many of them piglets, were lost in the fire.

“Those are my dreams burning in that fire!,” said an emotional Scarlett Leckbee during the fire. “We are responsible for taking care of those animals and they couldn’t get out. We couldn’t help them.”

“I tried to go in and make it to the pigs in the back corner but I only made it about five feet before I had to get out,” said Ron Leckbee who fought the fire alongside his fellow volunteer firefighters.

Firefighters battled flames and frigid temperatures throughout the firefight and were challenged by snow and ice.

According to Ron, the cause of the fire is believed to be electrical and the property is insured.

No injuries were reported in this fire.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Ambulance District also responded to the call.