Fire destroys Purdy Farm Center fertilizer building
November 22, 2023
Story by Adriana Keeton
Firefighters and first responders were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Washington Street in Purdy just after 5:30 p.m. last Friday to a structure fire at the Purdy Farm Center.
Fourteen area agencies responded to the fire, which destroyed the farm center’s fertilizer building. Crews raced to shut down area streets, the Arkansas and Missouri (AM) railway, and evacuated several homes in a four-block radius, as the building housed ammonium nitrate, which has the potential to become explosive and is a toxic inhalant.
According to one passerby, the 50-ft flames could be seen as far away as Monett.
The Purdy Fire Protection District reported the fire out at approximately 7:15 p.m., and traffic was reopened on Business Hwy. 37. Three firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries. No major injuries were reported. All units cleared the scene at approximately 10:15 p.m.
According to Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer, the cause of the fire is undetermined due to damage, but there is high suspicion it is due to equipment stored in the building.
In all, over 60 personnel were on scene from local agencies, which included the Purdy Fire Protection District, Purdy Police Department, Butterfield Fire Department, Wheaton Fire Department, Cassville Fire Department, Monett Rural Fire Department, Monett City Fire Department, Pierce City Fire Department, Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Butterfield Fire Auxiliary, Purdy Department of Public Works, and the Barry County Emergency Management.
Purdy Farm Center posted on their Facebook page on Saturday, “We are thanking God and the Purdy Fire Protection District, the Purdy Police Department, along with surrounding firefighters and law enforcement who responded quickly to the fire on our property that everyone is safe. We lost one of our buildings, but are thankful it was only one. Cause of fire is yet to be determined. We will continue business as usual tomorrow morning. Thank you for your continued support.”
Fourteen area agencies responded to the fire, which destroyed the farm center’s fertilizer building. Crews raced to shut down area streets, the Arkansas and Missouri (AM) railway, and evacuated several homes in a four-block radius, as the building housed ammonium nitrate, which has the potential to become explosive and is a toxic inhalant.
According to one passerby, the 50-ft flames could be seen as far away as Monett.
The Purdy Fire Protection District reported the fire out at approximately 7:15 p.m., and traffic was reopened on Business Hwy. 37. Three firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries. No major injuries were reported. All units cleared the scene at approximately 10:15 p.m.
According to Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer, the cause of the fire is undetermined due to damage, but there is high suspicion it is due to equipment stored in the building.
In all, over 60 personnel were on scene from local agencies, which included the Purdy Fire Protection District, Purdy Police Department, Butterfield Fire Department, Wheaton Fire Department, Cassville Fire Department, Monett Rural Fire Department, Monett City Fire Department, Pierce City Fire Department, Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Butterfield Fire Auxiliary, Purdy Department of Public Works, and the Barry County Emergency Management.
Purdy Farm Center posted on their Facebook page on Saturday, “We are thanking God and the Purdy Fire Protection District, the Purdy Police Department, along with surrounding firefighters and law enforcement who responded quickly to the fire on our property that everyone is safe. We lost one of our buildings, but are thankful it was only one. Cause of fire is yet to be determined. We will continue business as usual tomorrow morning. Thank you for your continued support.”