Headlines • April 8, 2014
A Versailles building was destroyed Friday morning by fire. A passerby reported smoke from the Downtown Mowers LLP building at 902 West US 50 in VersaillesAccording to Versailles Fire Chief Ben Sieverding, the Versailles Fire Department was dispatched at 2:33 a.m., and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building. The building is owned by Lloyd Walsh, but Matt West leases it for his business. US 50 had to be closed for nearly five hours as the firefighters battled the flames. Osgood Fire Department assisted with an engine and manpower. Firefighters used the hydrant in front of the Southeastern Career Center. As firefighters forced entry into the structure, the rear of the building flashed over. At the height of the fire nearly 1,000 gallons per minute was used to protect the neighboring structures and vehicles.
Milan and Holton fire departments were dispatched after 3 a.m. to assist at the scene. The business suffered a near total loss of all contents, and the structure received major damage from the fire, heat and smoke. West does have insurance, which also covers the customer’s equipment. Sieverding reported they were fortunate that there were no injuries, especially with firefighters encountering two flashovers in different parts of the structure.
Versailles fire department thanked the Milan, Holton, Osgood, Aurora, and Friendship fire departments for assistance either at the scene or for covering the fire stations, while battling the fire, and also the sheriff’s office and Rescue 69.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Firefighters climb the two-story building to put out the fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation.