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Independence, MO —
There were a few spots left Friday, but the fire was esentially out, having done its damage.
The building at DeTray Plating Works Inc., a metal finishing company at 10406 E. 11th St., a few blocks east of Van Horn High School in Independence, is a total loss, according to the Independence Fire Department.
The smoke was thick enough that officials closed a section of U.S. 24 for about three hours late Thursday. Virtually the entire Fire Department was on the scene, and crews from nearby cities and fire districts came in to man fire stations across the city in case there were other calls.
On Friday, fire and police investigators wrapped up their investigation, finding the cause to be unknown or suspicious. A major concern is chemicals in the building, but investigators did not to go in because the condition of the building itself is dangerous and because of the low likelihood of recovering useful information.
Also, because of the chemicals, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene Friday.
During the fire, officials did seek to evacuate some people, but many didn’t come to the door as officers went around and those who did decided to stay, according to the Fire Department. The Sermon Center and the Salvation Army, both several blocks to the east on Truman Road, opened as shelters, but only one person showed up and didn’t stay.
There also was talk of evacuating the nearby Maywood Terrace Living Center, but evacuation brings its own risks and costs.
“They sheltered in place,” said Assistant Fire Chief Joe Lay.
There were a few spots left Friday, but the fire was esentially out, having done its damage.
The building at DeTray Plating Works Inc., a metal finishing company at 10406 E. 11th St., a few blocks east of Van Horn High School in Independence, is a total loss, according to the Independence Fire Department.
The smoke was thick enough that officials closed a section of U.S. 24 for about three hours late Thursday. Virtually the entire Fire Department was on the scene, and crews from nearby cities and fire districts came in to man fire stations across the city in case there were other calls.
On Friday, fire and police investigators wrapped up their investigation, finding the cause to be unknown or suspicious. A major concern is chemicals in the building, but investigators did not to go in because the condition of the building itself is dangerous and because of the low likelihood of recovering useful information.
Also, because of the chemicals, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene Friday.
During the fire, officials did seek to evacuate some people, but many didn’t come to the door as officers went around and those who did decided to stay, according to the Fire Department. The Sermon Center and the Salvation Army, both several blocks to the east on Truman Road, opened as shelters, but only one person showed up and didn’t stay.
There also was talk of evacuating the nearby Maywood Terrace Living Center, but evacuation brings its own risks and costs.
“They sheltered in place,” said Assistant Fire Chief Joe Lay.
