Businesses Burn Down in Sedalia
***UPDATE 6:15 P.M.***From what investigators say, they say there was no indication of any foul play involved. But finding the exact cause may be a challenge.Fire crews were on the scene for hours trying to knock the flames down and prevent them from spreading to even more buildings. They say there was heavy smoke coming from the top levels. Investigators believe they know what building the fire started in, but that may be all they’ll be able to determine.”The roof has dropped into the third floor, and portions of the second floor dropped into the ground level,” Sedalia Fire Department Deputy Chief Greg Harrell explains. “So it’s very unstable, we’ve lost portions of the wall on the south side and the north side, so it’s going to be very difficult for them to do a very in-depth investigation.”The buildings were so unstable the city demolished both immediately. Fire crews say the buildings are more than 120-years-old. They tell us they’re surprised the fire didn’t spread to more than it did. They say it came close, but the firewall held.Investigators say before they close the books on this case they want some questions answered from the building owners. “We had heard some talk there was some renovations going on in 208, that was the building that appears to be the start, but again I can’t confirm that so right now like I say is listed under undetermined until we can do some business with some people,” Harrell says.Investigators say they also want to determine what kind of heating was used inside the buildings. They believe that could give them a few more clues as to what happened.***UPDATE 11:50 A.M.***Crews are planning to demolish at least one of the buildings Friday. Both businesses were owned by the same person, and one of them was currently under renovation.Investigators say everything is still on the table, but so far, there is no evidence pointing to foul play.There is no word on how much the fire cost.***UPDATE 9:47 A.M.***Fire crews are still on scene and tell ABC 17 News they will be for a while. Fire investigators say the call came in around 6:17 a.m., but the fire had likely been burning for a while.The buildings are located at 208 and 210 South Ohio and damage is so bad they will have to be demolished.Investigators are looking into a cause. No injuries were reported.***ORIGINAL STORY***A large fire has been reported in downtown Sedalia.Fire crews say at least two buildings are on fire in the 200 block of Ohio Street in the city. As of 8 a.m., firefighters were still on the scene battling the blaze.An ABC 17 News crew is headed to the scene. Continue to check abc17news.com for the latest updates.
