SHOE PLANT FIRE IS CONTAINED

BENTON -- A Friday afternoon fire at the Brown Shoe Co. plant east of Benton on Highway 77 was quickly extinguished by a sprinkler system and firefighters.

"The fire was contained to a chemical room where a batch of glue caught fire," said firefighter Michael Westrich.

The sprinkler system activated and the NBC Fire Protection District arrived on the scene to quickly extinguish the blaze.

"We had help from Scott City firemen and the Cape Girardeau Fire Department hazardous materials personnel," said Westrich.

Firemen remained at the scene until fumes were cleared from the building.