Perkins Care Center Fire Kills Three in Fayette, MO

FAYETTE, MISSOURI — Three people are dead after a devastating early morning fire swept through Perkins Residential Care Center, a residential care facility located at 304 S. Main St. in Fayette, on Tuesday, March 5, 2026, according to reporting by KOMU 8.

The Fayette Fire Department was dispatched to the facility around 6:40 a.m. after the blaze was reported, according to Co-Fire Chief Steven Morrow. Firefighters arrived on scene approximately nine minutes later to find the entire structure consumed by flames, as reported by KOMU.

Six individuals were inside the building when the fire was first called in, according to officials. Three of those individuals managed to exit the facility on their own before first responders arrived. The remaining three, however, were unable to escape and remained trapped inside, according to Morrow.

Due to the intensity of the blaze, firefighters were unable to enter the building to attempt a rescue. "The fire was fully involved and wasn't safe for our firefighters to make an interior attack, so we had to make an attack from the outside," Morrow told KOMU. All three victims' remains were subsequently recovered from the structure. Authorities have not released identifying information about the deceased as of this report.

The Glasgow Fire District assisted in extinguishing the fire, according to officials. Morrow indicated that crews planned to monitor the site throughout the day to prevent any rekindling. A person identified on social media as an administrator for the facility told KOMU that the matter has been turned over to insurance investigators, and the facility declined further comment at this time.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, though space heaters were reportedly found in the wreckage, according to KOMU's reporting.

It is important to note that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed to KOMU that Perkins Residential Care Center is not a licensed nursing home. The facility operates as a Department of Mental Health certified provider offering group home and individualized supported living services, according to DHSS.

CMS Inspection History

The fact that the most recent federal inspection on record dates back more than six years raises questions about oversight frequency at care facilities in smaller Missouri communities. Federal regulations require nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid to undergo standard health inspections no less than once every 15 months, with a statewide average of once every 12 months. However, residential care facilities like Perkins operate under different state licensing frameworks and may not be subject to the same inspection schedules.

Ownership & Operations

The incident is likely to prompt scrutiny of fire safety measures at similar facilities statewide, including the presence and functionality of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and evacuation plans — particularly given reports that space heaters were found amid the debris.

Resources for Families

Families with loved ones in Missouri long-term care facilities who have concerns about safety conditions or quality of care can contact the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman program at 1-800-309-3282. The ombudsman program serves as an independent advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings, helping resolve complaints and ensuring that residents' rights are protected.

The national Elder Care Locator hotline, reachable at 1-800-677-1116, can also connect families with local resources and assistance programs. Additional information about long-term care advocacy and resident rights is available through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at ltcombudsman.org.

If you suspect neglect, abuse, or unsafe conditions at any care facility in Missouri, you can file a complaint directly with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. In emergency situations, always call 911 immediately.