UPDATED: Fire destroys Clay County businesses, shuts down highway

Monday, June 16, 2014
Smoke from Saturday's fire at Highway 40 Furniture could be seen for miles. The furniture store and those businesses connected to it were destroyed in the blaze. No injuries were reported.

This story has been updated to reflect that the fire's origin has not been confirmed. The investigation is still ongoing to determine what caused it.

Fire destroyed at least three Clay County businesses on Saturday night in a blaze that required a major thoroughfare be shut down for hours.

Multiple fire and rescue crews battled the fire that included Highway 40 Furniture Mart -- a business that sits on the eastern edge of Brazil and just north of the major highway that runs through the heart of the city.

Fire officials say the blaze spread quickly, destroying the connecting businesses of Shear One and Pell's Roofing.

Black smoke billowed from the businesses at the fire's onset and could be seen for miles and in many of the surrounding counties, including the cities of Terre Haute in Vigo County and Rockville in Parke County.

Van Buren (Township) Fire Department Chief Tod Haring said the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office has been called to try and determine the cause of the fire but that could take some time.

"At this time, we have absolutely no information whatsoever on what started the fire," said Haring, whose department had jurisdiction over the fire. "We are going to let the State Fire Marshal get in and determine all of that. I would say this would take weeks to determine once the Fire Marshal starts his investigation."

Haring also said there were no reports of people inside the businesses when the fire began.

Both Haring and Brazil City Fire Department Chief Jake Bennett say crews will likely be on scene well into the night and Sunday morning in an effort to extinguish the blaze. They were first dispatched there around 5:50 p.m.

"We are going to be here awhile. There is a metal roof and a lot of things burning in there and to put out every hotspot is going to be difficult," Bennett said.

The Brazil chief said the fire began in the northernmost building and spread quickly through the connecting structures. With furniture, roofing equipment and vehicles inside some of the buildings, Bennett said there was much to fuel the fire.

"To have that kind of a fire load it is kind of hard to keep it out of anything that's connected, so we were concerned about the auction barn here (just west of the fire) and surrounding structures that we could protect, including a nearby home," he said. "We wanted to make sure we kept everything else protected."

Another concern was firefighter safety with the excessive heat and smoke. Casey's General Store, Brazil Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary and others supplied water to those responding, Bennett said.

Both Bennett and Haring also applauded the work of the many fire crews and other emergency responders that were called into action.

Joining the two agencies were county fire crews from Dick Johnson, Posey and Poland as well as Clay County Search and Rescue and medical and police personnel. Aid also came fire departments in Greencastle and Reelsville in Putnam County.

"Everybody works together real well here," said Bennett, adding each department is willing to help another in need.

The Brazil Police Department and Clay County Sheriff's Department assisted, as well.

Also, for some, Saturday's fire was reminiscent of a blaze at Pell's near that location around 20 years ago.

The furniture store is owned by David Rooksberry.

(Times Reporter Hannah Asbury contributed to this story.)

(Additional photos of Saturday's fire can be found here: http://www.thebraziltimes.com/gallery/20086 )

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  • That should be Posey and not Poland Volunteer fire department!

    -- Posted by bandmom_63 on Sun, Jun 15, 2014, at 10:27 AM
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