Smoke seen at Jackson Buchheit's

A faulty cardboard compactor is suspected to be the cause of smoke on Sunday night at Buchheit in Jackson, a lumber supply store at 2801 Old Orchard Road. No one was in the building since the alarm was triggered hours after closing.

The Jackson Fire Department responded to the alarm at 8:09 p.m. and was the first to arrive on the scene. Hazy smoke was initially encountered hovering inside the building, Jackson fire chief Brad Golden said. Within six to eight minutes after the first unit, the Millersville unit responded, followed by units from Cape Girardeau, Fruitland and East County. Golden called in the extra units due to the size of the over 100,000-square-foot building.

"Anytime you have something this big and it's a lumber yard, you're going to call all the assistance you think you're going to need," he said.

No fire was found in the building, but smoke was produced by overheated oil. A hydraulic line had burst and the oil spilled over the equipment, Golden said.

The units were able to respond quickly, he said, because the building had a 24-hour monitored alarm system and a knoxx box, a device that allows firefighters to enter a business without waiting for a key.

The prospect of a large fire was scary, said, co-owner John Buchheit, since Buchheit in Biehle, Mo., had burned to the ground in 1986.

"We're very greatful for all the fire departments that showed up, for all their help," Buchheit said. The Jackson Buchheit has been open since 2000.

"I expect to be open for business tomorrow morning," he said.

Though no person was in the building at the time of the smoke, live animals were located on the floor about 75 feet away from the source of the smoke.

"All the little chicks and the ducks are OK," Golden said, assuring that they are still ready for Easter.

jmetelski@semissourian.com

334-6611 ext. 125