TUPELO, Miss. -- Authorities are still investigating what caused a Tuesday morning fire at Mount Vernon Samples.
The small factory located on Mt. Vernon Road manufactured cut foam used in furniture making. About dozen volunteer and full-time fire departments, including Tupelo and Saltillo, responded to the call. The factory, an old tin building, is owned by Terry Robbins, whose family has owned the business for more than 40 years. Robbins was on the scene while more than 20 firemen battled the blaze and was visibly upset. He declined to comment.
Belden Volunteer Fire Chief Willie Payne said no one was injured in the fire. He said a couple of people were in the building when the fire started but made it out safely. It is unclear how many people were employed by Mount Vernon Samples.
Because Belden Volunteer Fire Department the lead agency. Payne said getting help from other departments around the area was very important to get the fire under control.
"Daytime fires are hard for us sometimes because we all work regular jobs," said Payne, who left his job to help with the fire. "So to get the type of help we got here today is what we need to be successful. We are part of one big firemen community and today's response from area departments showed that."
It took more than an hour for firemen to put the fire out. Black smoke could be seen from as far away as Coley Road. Red flames and black smoke poured from every area of the building. The roof collapsed shortly after the fire started. Payne said the building was a total loss.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
