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Tuesday blaze at mall rings up $20,000 in damages
The Nevada Fire Department appealed Tuesday for the public to avoid open burning in the wake of a Dumpster fire that knocked out power to eight businesses in a northside shopping mall.
Noting Tuesday's powerful south winds are expected to continue at least through Thursday, Acting NFD Fire Chief Bill Thornton said the 8:30 a.m. blaze wreaked some $20,000 in damages to the 400 S. Johnson Drive complex, northeast of Wal-Mart.
"The city ordinance prohibits burning if the wind is over 15 mph," said Thornton. "If you want to burn something, please call us at (417) 448-2720 and get permission. But we highly advise against it until we get some moisture because Vernon County is really dry.
"The fire started in some cardboard boxes and melted the electrical service for all the suites."
The chief said the cause was still being investigated and that there were no injuries to anyone in the mall or the seven firefighters who responded in three units and left after an hour.
The National Weather Service reported at mid-afternoon Tuesday that the southwest Missouri gale was blowing at a steady 22 mph and gusting to 43.
Working at the fire scene about 3:30 p.m., with two other Kansas City Power & Light Co. employees, Brian Semchenko of Nevada said electricity had been restored by 2:30 p.m. to Verizon Wireless at the mall's north end and to the Shoe Dept. and Cato Fashions on the south.
Semchenko said the other affected businesses were Sun Loan, Wes Knell State Farm Insurance, Missouri Loan Center, Rocket Dollar and Aaron's Furniture, Electronics, Computers & Appliances, which was directly behind the fire.
He said KCP&L had sustained about $1,000 in damages to a wire running from the building to a nearby transformer. Semchenko said the businesses would be responsible for other repairs.
Thornton said that if the fire department grants permission for open burning, the fire must be attended by a competent person until it is extinguished.
Other NFD guidelines are as follows:
* Burning must be between 6 a.m. and midnight.
* The fire must be in a cleared area and not exceed a size of six by six by four feet.
* Burning must be conducted at least 25 feet from any structure with no flammable or combustible liquids. Prevailing winds must be away from nearby residences.
* A permit is valid for one day and will be revoked if complaints are received from neighbors.
* Prohibited materials are garbage, rubber, plastics, leather, dead animals, bedding, treated or painted lumber, materials from a building demolition project, furniture and trash with food cans, bottles or disposable diapers.
* No burning is permitted on streets, sidewalks or other public rights-of-way.
* A garden hose or fire extinguisher must be kept available at all times.