FIREFIGHTERS HURT IN BLAZE LATE SATURDAY

A Cape Girardeau firefighter was in serious condition Sunday night at Southeast Missouri Hospital after suffering a compound fracture in his upper leg and a fractured hip Saturday night.

Randol Morris, 39, was injured while he battled the blaze near the intersection of Kingshighway and William at Lanter Company and Plaza Tire.

A burning wall collapsed on Morris and narrowly missed another man, a firefighter said Saturday night.

Morris underwent surgery to repair his fractures Sunday morning. He was recovering in the Intensive Care Unit Sunday night.

"I think it's pretty serious," said Robert Ridgeway, the Cape Girardeau fire chief.

Three other Cape Girardeau firefighters also were transported to the hospital Saturday night. They suffered from smoke inhalation and strain. The firemen were released from the emergency room by early Sunday morning.

The blaze at Plaza Tire was feeding off at least 6,000 tires inside the complex. The burning tires created a thick, black smoke which posed a danger to fire crews.

Local officials at the fire Saturday night couldn't recall a blaze causing as much commotion.

The intersection of William and Kingshighway was partially blocked most of Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Traffic lanes also were closed causing a traffic bottleneck.

Traffic was diverted from the area to allow firefighting vehicles to get in and out of the area.

At least five other fire departments aided Cape Girardeau Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Ridgeway said 100 firefighters were battling the blaze at one time Saturday night.

Firefighters from neighboring departments didn't report any injuries.

Some firefighters did take advantage of the county air van. The van provided oxygen to personnel who sought a break from fighting the fire.