Cape Girardeau business plans to rebuild facility destroyed by fire

Less than 12 hours after much of their business burned to the ground, owners of an area construction and landscaping company were prepared to continue operations.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department, along with five other county fire crews, responded to Elite Development LLC around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday and were on scene for more than five hours fighting the blaze. The fire destroyed the company's shop, which stored much of their equipment, including two tractors, a backhoe and a dumptruck.

Staff believe the fire started after sparks from welding equipment ignited oil on the ground.

Although executive staff were initially shocked and devastated, they were open for business by 8 a.m. Thursday, according to Jeff Lage, CEO of Consultative Marketing Group LLC, Elite Development's public relations and accounting firm.

"I believe spirits are higher today than they were Wednesday," Lage said Friday. "We've moved an office to the satellite office on Sprigg [Street]."

Elite Development owns more than 40 rental homes throughout Cape Girardeau and works with area businesses to maintain landscaping and provide mowing services. It also does a lot of preparation work for construction companies who don't have the necessary equipment, Lage said.

And although Elite Development lost several pieces of equipment Wednesday, it still has numerous lawn mowers and semitrailers to continue business.

"Really, all we lost is backhoe work. That's the only thing that's holding us back," Lage said.

While staff is rummaging through what's left of materials at the Prairie Lane location, they have plans to begin rebuilding soon.

Lage couldn't provide a date but said the company is committed to a rebuild in the same area.

"It's not as bad as we thought," Lage said. "My personal belief is as long as you have optimism you can get through it."

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent Address:

2607 Prairie Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO