One Unit Destroyed By Fire At Elmont Storage

One complete storage unit building was destroyed by a suspicious fire early Friday morning, April 23, at Elmont Storage, 811 Elmont Rd. at 12:18 a.m.

According to Sullivan Fire Chief Eric Lewis, the fire was spreading quickly in the facility upon the arrival of the first Sullivan firefighters. Firefighters rapidly moved up to a second alarm commercial structure fire.

"When we arrived, this building was fully engulfed, and we began to attack it and try to prevent any further spread to other units in the storage unit complex," said Chief Lewis.

Lewis reported that crews had to run a five-inch line to a hydrant across Elmont and the North Service Rd. to supply water for pumpers battling the blaze.

Sullivan Police quickly shut down Alice St., Elmont, and North Service Rd. due to the firehose stretched across the roadway at the request of Sullivan Fire.

"We had a lot of assistance on this fire, with 35 firefighters on the scene," said Lewis.

Units from St. Clair, Beaufort-Leslie, Gerald, Cuba, Boles, and North Crawford County Ambulance assisted.

According to Lewis, North Crawford was relieved by Missouri Baptist Ambulance once they returned in service from a patient transfer.

"We also want to express our appreciation to the City of Sullivan for responding with a backhoe to help sift through the debris and make sure we didn't have any other hot spots still buried in the collapsed structure."

The fire took some time to bring under control, with firefighters clearing the scene at 3 a.m.

Lewis reported that the cause of the fire was undermined but suspicious.

Lewis said the rash of fires the district has observed this year at vacant homes, apartments, and structures could be related to homeless residents seeking some shelter.