Dewayne’s Tire Service catches fire, prompting large emergency response

In a Monday phone interview, Dent County Fire Protection District Chief Brad Nash told The Salem News that it appeared the fire may have started in the attic area. 

Traffic on MacArthur Avenue was blocked from Scenic Rivers Blvd. to Franklin St., rerouting traffic around the business. Local wrecker crews scrambled to remove customer cars from the parking lot of the business so they wouldn’t be damaged by the fire. One customer vehicle could be seen burning on a lift in one of the bays.

By 8:26 p.m., the smoke emerging from the roof increased as two volunteer firefighters with the Dent County Fire Protection District ascended a ladder with tools, widening a hole in the side of the gable. Crews were also able to get the service bay doors open. Smoke began pouring out of the hole in the gable, rapidly increasing in volume as the fire consumed more oxygen. As the fire spread and increased in intensity, a large explosion occurred, blowing out windows, and prompting the authorities to begin shouting emphatically for bystanders to retreat to behind the Chilton Oil building across the street. Loud electronic chirping could be heard following the explosion.

“It’s called a backdraft, is what happened. That’s what that initial explosion was,” said Nash. He said backdrafts can occur when a fire that is starved for oxygen is suddenly supplied with oxygen.

One eyewitness, a neighbor to the business, told The Salem News that the explosion went through the roof as well. Fire crews kept water on the neighboring home, which was unharmed.

Following the backdraft, 30–40-foot flames could be seen out of the top of the building as the fire spread to the service bays. Multiple smaller loud explosions occurred in the following minutes as flammable materials within the shop heated and detonated.

By 9:15 p.m., the fire appeared to calm from peak intensity. Fire crews used cranes to spray water on the building from above. Inflatable dams were placed in the parking lot and street to help stem the flow of water into drains and creeks. The water ran black with oil from the business.

As of press deadlines, it is unknown what caused the fire.

“As far as what exactly caused the fire, we don’t know that yet. We called in the State Fire Marshall’s office, and they sent in two investigators. They’re looking at it,” Nash said.

Nash said it was a dangerous situation for crews and bystanders, who faced hazardous materials and fumes, explosions, and traffic from onlookers as crews fought the blaze.

“Some of the issues that we had were the explosions. […] That’s always a concern (with a) business of that type. You have kind of a rough idea of what kind of materials that they have on-site, but you don’t know exactly, so that’s always a tough situation,” said Nash.

The Dent County Fire Protection District posted on Facebook Saturday morning.

According to the post, crews worked the scene for approximately 10 hours. A total of 50 personnel were on-scene to assist in different areas of the fire, including fire crews from other districts.

"Due to the heavy fire load in the building the decision was made to call Lenox Fire, Rolla City Fire and Cuba Fire for mutual aid. Also on the scene was the Missouri Fire Marshall's Office, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Salem Memorial District Hospital Ambulance, Salem Police Department, Salem Electric Department, Salem Water Department, Dent County Sheriff's Office, Whitaker Towing, American Automotive & Towing, and Chilton Oil Company," reads the post.

Look for more in-depth information on the fire in a future edition of The Salem News.