MAYSVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- A 96-year-old woman died in a fire that destroyed the birthplace of former Missouri Gov. James T. Blair.
Naomi Shireman, of Maysville, who used a wheelchair, died in Monday's fire after attempts to rescue her failed, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department said. Her daughter-in-law and a 15-year-old boy in the home at the time of the fire escaped without injury.
An off-duty firefighter who was driving by the house noticed smoke at about 4:30 p.m., and officials said the historic two-story home was a total loss.
Blair was born in 1902 and served as the state's governor between 1957 and 1961. He died in 1962 at the age of 60.
