FIRE MARSHAL TO INSPECT SITE OF WAREHOUSE BLAZE TODAY

CARUTHERSVILLE -- An early morning fire at the Caruthersville Cotton Warehouse Monday may have caused more than $1.3 million in damage.

Three warehouses were destroyed and a fourth was damaged despite the efforts of nearly 50 firefighters from seven different departments, Caruthersville Fire Lt. Lynn Moss said.

Moss had worked at the scene for 18 hours trying to control the smoldering bales of cotton. Firefighters had to return to the scene for a few hours Monday night to put down a flare-up.

Firefighters were originally called to the scene at 12:43 a.m. and finally got the blaze under control around 8.

Britt Coleman, one of the owners of the cotton warehouse, said he hadn't had any electrical problems or fire hazards in the past that might explain the blaze. His workers might be able to start clearing out some of the burned cotton this afternoon.

"The bids are coming in right now and all of them will be rebuilt," Coleman said. The fourth warehouse was damaged but is still usable.

Rod Hoelscher, an investigator for the Missouri fire marshal's office, said the building was too hot for investigators Monday and Tuesday, but he plans to inspect the site today.