Fire damages Chaffee business

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A fire that damaged a Chaffee compressor company early Monday was most likely accidental, said John Sachen of the Delta Fire Protection District, although an investigation is ongoing.

The fire broke out at Semo Compressor around 12:45 a.m. Delta firefighters responded and Gordonville was called in for mutual aid.

The complex that started on fire, Sachen said, was used to disassemble trailers and there were several possible sources that could have sparked the fire accidentally, as employees had been working in the area all day. "The area that was involved was an office area inside the building, which was a wood-framed office area," he said. "The hose crews attacking it were able to knock it down very rapidly, almost immediately."

No one was injured in the fire.

Additionally, Sachen said Cape Girardeau County residents should continue to be aware of the dry conditions and not burn natural vegetation.

Fire risk remains high, despite showers in the area today, he said. Any water in a plant structure right now, Sachen said, is just a nutrient for the vegetation. Given the time of year, and not whether the plant is an annual or perennial, most vegetation is dead and will burn easily, he added.

No official burn ban is in place, but Sachen said county residents should still be cautious.

Pertinent Address:

12236 State Highway 25, Chaffee, MO