Fire on the Square

A structure fire closed a two-block radius around Court Square in West Plains last Tuesday morning. West Plains Fire Department personnel arrived on scene at approximately 3:00 a.m., said the City of West Plains in a statement. Seventeen agencies responded to the scene, and the fire was extinguished by 7:00 a.m. Adjacent businesses were clear to open at 9:00 a.m., but the area was closed to traffic until 3:30 p.m.

Located at 112 E. Main StPowell Crews Title & Escrow is a total loss. The City of West Plains confirmed the fire is under investigation. 

“This was a true multi-agency operation,” said West Plains Fire Chief Dan Clark. “I am proud of these men and women who came together to stop the spread of this fire. In doing so they saved other downtown buildings.”

The seventeen agencies who responded to the scene were: West Plains Fire Department, West Plains Police Department, Caulfield Fire Department, Mtn. View Fire Department, Howell County Rural Fire Department, Willow Springs Fire Department, Eleven Point Fire Department, Moody Fire Department, Pomona Fire Department, Peace Valley Fire Department, Pottersville Fire Department, Pumpkin Center Fire Department, Thayer Fire Department, Lanton Fire Department, Mtn. Grove Fire Department, and Houston Fire Department. Koshkonong Fire Department and Rover Fire Department were on standby.

Helmed by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, local businesses came together to make sure that the firefighters had plenty of food and drinks, including 10/40 Coffee, McDonalds, the Greater West Plains Chamber of Commerce, Sugar Lily Bakery & Floral, Colton's Steak House & Grill, West Plains Bank & Trust, and the Historic Post Office Event Center.

No one was injured in the blaze.