Cabinet shop gutted by fire

Jason Laster checked out the charred remains of his cabinet-making business around noon Monday.

The Jackson Fire Department -- which called for backup support from Cape Girardeau and Millersville in fear that a large wood supply could cause a huge flame -- had watered down and gained control of the inferno. The firefighters managed to save the white shell of the work shed, and Laster was taking inventory while the fire chief conducted a television interview.

Inside, the floor was still solid enough to walk on safely. The smoke had cleared, but the walls were almost all black, as were most of Laster's tools.

But Laster picked up a drill, squeezed the trigger and heard zzzzillll, zzzillll.

At least not everything was ruined.

"A lot of the tools look like they're shot," Laster said.

Started near trash can

The building that Laster was renting to run his cabinet-making business caught fire at about 9:35 a.m. Monday. Fire chief Brad Golden said the blaze started in the vicinity of a trash can, though it could not be determined immediately what ignited it. Golden said there will be a routine investigation to find out.

Jim Hope, while working at the Co-Op service center behind the cabinet shop, saw smoke pouring from the building and called 911.

About two minutes later, the Jackson Fire Department arrived and began battling the blaze.

Firefighters arrived to a lot of smoke, Golden said. Once Golden learned that the shed was being used for a cabinet-making shop, he called for backup.

"We expected an extra fire load with the cabinets," Golden said. "So we asked for assistance from Cape just in case we needed the extra help."

Scott Altenthal, fire captain at Cape Girardeau's station No. 4, said his station responded and served as backup. He said none of Cape Girardeau's equipment was used, but the crew manned the outside of the building, surveying for safety.

Jackson also called in Millersville to cover the fire station while Jackson invested its entire crew to the scene.

Meanwhile, Laster appeared stunned as he stood inside the K-9 Training Center across the street and, through the door window, watched firefighters wrap up their work.

Laster, a husband and father of two, has been renting the building since February, he said. He came in at 6:30 a.m. and left around 9 a.m. to go order some more supplies. The shed does not have a telephone line.

Has insurance

Laster said he had about $10,000 to $12,000 worth of equipment, plus materials, which included a half-completed cabinet set. He said he had insurance.

"I'm just getting started in the business," he said. "I'll just see what the insurance company has to say and go from there. Until then, I'll look for another building, or a place to build another building."

Some of his tools, though smoke-stained, were in working condition.

"I think he's pretty fortunate as far as damages go," Golden said. "It was not as bad as it could've been."

Frank Emmendorfer owns the property. He was out of town Monday and could not be reached for comment.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127