HERMANN — The cause of the Monday morning blaze that destroyed a longstanding downtown Hermann building wasn’t readily identified, but speculation among those familiar with the structure …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your member account, or purchase a new membership.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for becoming a member.
Please log in to continue |
|
HERMANN — The cause of the Monday morning blaze that destroyed a longstanding downtown Hermann building wasn’t readily identified, but speculation among those familiar with the structure pointed to possible electrical wiring issues.
More than a dozen pieces of firefighting equipment from throughout the region responded to a mutual-aid call from the Hermann Fire Company for help in battling the fire that claimed the structure that housed Hermann’s Attic, a retro thrift store on Highway 100 (First Street). Efforts of Hermann firefighters were bolstered by crews from as far away as Boles Fire Protection District near Pacific and as close as Rhineland and Big Spring just across the Missouri River in Montgomery County.
Units providing firefighting support included the Washington Fire Department and Union and St. Clair fire districts, the Gerald-Rosebud Fire Protection District and the Owensville Fire Department.
By the time the flames were extinguished, the building was but a shell with the back wall falling away into the alley.
Several downtown streets were blocked off, especially the heavily traveled Highway 100 from Gutenberg Street to Highway 19, forcing motorists to detour onto other city streets. Crowds gathered to watch the firefighters knock back the flames in the large two-story building that has been home to a variety of businesses throughout the years.
“That’s going to leave a hole,” observed businessman and former Hermann Alderman Tom Durham, standing among a crowd gathered on the sidewalk across Highway 100 from the building watching Washington firefighters on a ladder truck as they sprayed water down into the smoldering rubble.
Hermann police units were assisted by Missouri State Highway Patrol cruisers in keeping streets closed to allow firefighting equipment to maneuver in the area in front of the building. Hermann Ambulance District units were on hand, as well, in case emergency medical services were needed.
Firefighters began battling the blaze at about the start of the business day. Three hours later, some of the responding fire protection crews began rolling up their hoses for the return trip to their home areas.
