Maysville firefighters were called to the scene of a tobacco warehouse late Monday, when fire broke out at the structure. The call to the former warehouse on Elizabeth Street, once owned by Eugene Crain, came in to emergency dispatch just before 11 p.m., officials said. Maysville Fire Department responded with all equipment to fight the blaze.
The two-story brick warehouse, built in the 1920s was also struck by fire in November, 2009.
Following the 2009 fire, the building was bought by Jerry Lundergan who was in the process of salvaging materials from the site. Mike Bradford Recycling and Salvage of Rectorville was the contractor in charge of the salvage. Bradford managed to safe several pieces of equipment from the structure including two bulldozers, a track hoe and a tractor-trailer which was actually on fire as it was driven from the building. Firefighters continually dosed the truck with flames to prevent its gas tanks from exploding.
Ruby Fannin of Williams Street said she and other residents noticed the flames just after 11 p.m. and left her home. She said workers had been on the scene for the last few weeks for the salvage operation.
MPD Assistant Chief Ron Rice said nearby residents were evacuated as a safety precaution.
As flames engulfed the warehouse, the air filled with acrid smoke. Flames could be seen through all of the building's windows and embers were carried through the air by wind. Firefighters wet down the roof of the Central United Methodist Church on Second Street and a metal warehouse nearby which houses a manufacturing business.
In addition the MFD and MPD, other fire departments on scene included Lewisburg, Washington-Maysville and Fernleaf-Highland. Mason County Sheriff also assisted and utility concerns were on hand to cut service to the affected structure.
