A Missouri police chief’s lit cigarette is reportedly the cause of a devastating fire that destroyed the Vienna Point residential care facility over the summer. The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of August 7, 2025, saw the entire structure engulfed in flames, though thankfully, all residents and staff were evacuated without injury. Investigators have ruled the fire an accident, stemming from an individual placing a burning cigarette near combustible materials outside the building.
The Vienna Fire Protection District responded to the scene, encountering heavy fire conditions. Initial efforts were made to combat the blaze offensively, but water supply issues necessitated a shift to a defensive strategy, requiring mutual aid from neighboring districts. While crews could not save the building, the successful evacuation of all individuals was a primary concern and achievement.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer is that a lit cigarette carelessly discarded by Vienna Police Chief Shannon Thompson in a planter outside the nursing home ignited combustible material, leading to the massive fire.
Security footage captured the critical moments leading up to the conflagration. Vienna Police Chief Shannon Thompson was reportedly at the nursing home shortly before midnight on August 6, responding to an accidental 911 call. The video appears to show Thompson smoking a cigarette and then placing it in a planter near the building’s entrance, attempting to extinguish it by stomping it down before departing.
Approximately 90 minutes after Thompson’s departure, a flame was observed sparking within the planter. This small ignition rapidly escalated into a significant fire that ultimately consumed the nursing home.
Investigators, including the Missouri state fire marshal, have meticulously reviewed the evidence, including the security video. Their findings point to the “unintended result of an individual placing a burning cigarette near combustible material” as the direct cause of the fire.
Chief Thompson has reportedly acknowledged to investigators that he placed a cigarette in the planter and attempted to extinguish it. He also noted that the specific brand of cigarettes he smoked is designed to self-extinguish, a detail that has become a point of contention.
Maries County Prosecutor Anthony Skouby has yet to make a final decision regarding potential charges against Chief Thompson. A spokesperson indicated that the investigation is ongoing and evidence is still being gathered.
In a statement shared by the Maries County Advocate in November, Prosecutor Skouby expressed strong disagreement with the accidental classification of the fire. He highlighted that a cigarette butt receptacle was located only ten feet away, yet the lit cigarette was placed in a plastic potted plant, which he found to be an insult to his intelligence.
This incident raises serious questions about the responsibility of public officials and the protocols in place to prevent such tragedies. The investigation into potential charges continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of the loss of the nursing home facility.
The independent news outlet has reached out to both Chief Thompson and Prosecutor Skouby’s office for further comment on the ongoing investigation and the community’s response to the incident.
