Operations resume after fireworks warehouse fire in Boonville

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Executives at Spirit of '76 Fireworks said Tuesday that a massive fire in a Boonville warehouse had been extinguished.

In a news release, Spirit of '76 Fireworks' John Walker, VP of operations, thanked the Mid-Missouri EMT and firefighter community after they came together to put out the fire.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to Boonville, Cooper County and all of the other first responder crews from surrounding counties for their quick and effective response ... Thanks to the efforts of the first responders and the safety protocols in place, everyone evacuated the building safely and the fire will have minimal impact on our operations," Walker said.

The warehouse in the 1600 block of Mid-America Industrial Drive in Boonville caught fire Monday afternoon. Walker said the business was alerted around 1 p.m. Monday that fire alarms were going off and found a fire contained to one area. 

Walker said it appeared that the sprinkler system went off as it was supposed to and that 20 employees were working in the building at the time.  

Tim Carmichael, the Boonville Fire Chief, tells ABC 17 that 10 different departments and more than 100 firefighters helped in battling the fire.

"With equipment and personnel we probably had over 100 firefighters on the scene at different times, maybe 15 tankers and three or four engines," Carmichael said.

When they arrived a portion of the warehouse was up in flames, fireworks were exploding, and smoke was flowing from the building.

Responding officials and Walker confirmed no one was hurt and everyone got out safely.

The fire was contained to the warehouse and operations at Spirit of '76 resumed Tuesday.

Check back for updates to this developing story.