Two Buildings In Downtown Ripley Damaged In Fire

RIPLEY, Tenn. (AP) -- Two downtown buildings suffered heavy damage and still were smoldering from a fire that began Saturday night.

Several surrounding fire departments joined the Ripley Fire Department in battling the blaze that started in the Precision Technologies building. The fire spread to the Lauderdale Voice weekly newspaper office next door.

Nearly 60 firefighters worked on the buildings until Sunday morning.

Smoking embers and the collapsed roof of the Precision Technologies building caused Ripley firefighters to return to the scene Sunday evening and Monday afternoon.

Smoke continued to rise Tuesday and Ripley fire chief Felix Moore said the buildings were expected to smolder a few more days.

Some apartments above both building were damaged. No injuries have been reported.