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A large fire spread throughout the attic and second floor of James and Gahr Mortuary Monday afternoon. No one was reported injured, but the fire did displace the building’s lone apartment resident.
Flames engulfed the James and Gahr Mortuary Monday afternoon destroying the buildings second floor and attic. Firefighters with the Dent County Fire Protection District responded at 1:43 p.m. and were on the scene until 9:45 p.m., according to Fire Chief Brad Nash.
Employees of the mortuary were in the building when the fire started, but all were able to escape unharmed.
“I was just working on my computer when I saw there was a lot of smoke along the ceiling,” said James and Gahr employee Kendra Petty. “I went to try and find where it was coming from and I saw flames, then I knew it was time to get out of there.”
James and Gahr owners Donn and Connie James released the following statement:
“We would like to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this devastating time for our family. Thanks to the firefighters and every responder. Special thanks to Chris Raulston and Dent County Memorial Chapel. We are working with all local churches so we may continue providing services to our community. We will continue to serve at the same phone numbers and will be rebuilding the funeral home as quickly as possible. Please call 729-3117 or 458-2262 for any questions regarding your funeral plan or North Lawn Cemetery.”
Nash said the fire’s source has not been determined but fire marshals will be returning to the scene today (Tuesday) to investigate with the aid of daylight.
“It was very hot and very smoky,” firefighter Travis Kissir said. “There is a lot of damage to the first two rooms of the second floor and attic. It was pretty dangerous conditions.”
Caskets and formaldehyde could be seen being removed from the building and stored at Dent County Memorial Chapel across the street. From the ground, flames could be seen spiking 10 feet into the sky at times. Smoke billowed into the nearby neighborhood with many residents leaving the area.
Dustin Lay was among the nearby residents who noticed the smoke.
“I could smell smoke, and when I went out on the porch I saw the building was on fire,” Lay said. “I had to get out of the area to get some fresh air away from the smoke. It was just terrible.”
Classes at next door William Lynch Elementary School were in session at the time of the fire, but posed no danger to the students, Salem R-80 Superintendent John McColloch said. A westward breeze blew the smoke away from the school so no students were affected. McColloch was on the scene and said the school day had to be cut short 10 minutes early due to parking issues related to the emergency activity in the area.
Traffic gridlocked along Highway 19 in the vicinity of the fire. The regular afternoon jam of busses and parents picking up their children was joined by countless other curious onlookers who were following the smoke’s trail. Officers with the Salem Police Department and Highway Patrol troopers had to direct traffic and block intersections for much of the afternoon.
The only resident displaced by the fire is Josh Yost, who was living in the building’s lone apartment unit.
“I was in Rolla at work when I got a call that James and Gahr was on fire,” Yost said. “I’ve been able to get most of my valuables out, but I’m worried about my record collection. I was able to look up for a second when I was inside and you could just see the smoke billowing. It was pretty unreal.”
Yost said he has secured emergency housing.
Dozens of emergency personnel were on the scene throughout the day. The Dent County firefighters received mutual aid from the Anutt, Lenox and Jadwin Rural Fire Districts. The City of Rolla and City of St. James also responded.
