Virginia Warehouse Fire Destroys 400,000 Pounds of Tobacco

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. (AP) -- Fire destroyed a tobacco warehouse in downtown South Boston early Tuesday, consuming about 400,000 pounds of tobacco and bringing in firefighters from more than 30 miles away, police said.

South Boston Police Chief G.M. Reed said the fire at Planter's Warehouse prompted the closure of a portion of Wilborn Avenue, the main street through downtown, for at least a day.

Firefighters from the county's volunteer departments, as well as personnel from Danville and Roxboro, N.C., joined the town department in fighting the blaze, Reed said.

Authorities said they did not immediately know what caused the blaze.