Fire Destroys Main Street Buildings – Updated

Investigation is under way to determine the cause of a fire on Monday that destroyed two downtown business buildings while causing extensive damage to a third.

Trenton Fire Chief Brandon Gibler said that the state fire marshal’s office was called to review the fire that destroyed structures housing This and That Pawn Shop and Antiques and Cut and Curls Beauty Shop, located in the 600 block of Main Street. Fire was still burning on Tuesday morning in the building housing the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce and License Bureau, where firefighters remained at the scene.
Gibler said a call came into the fire station around 4:06 p.m. and when firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke throughout all three buildings. Firemen initially fought the fire from the inside, however, when there was a partial structure collapse, firefighters were forced to withdraw and attack the fire from the exterior. Trenton set up its ladder truck to provide an elevated master stream and the Chillicothe Fire Department also provided aide with their aerial truck, setting up beside the structures. There was a partial collapse of the exterior of the buildings.
Firefighters were unable to open the hydrant located at Eighth and Main streets, near the corner of the courthouse, however, the fire hydrant across the street next to the Plaza Apartments was able to be used. Both hydrants are on the same pipe, according to City Administrator/TMU Director Ron Urton. Electricity was also turned off for a period of time as a safety precaution.
No injuries were reported and it was unknown whether anyone was in any of the structures at the time of the fire. Gibler said no other comments can be made at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
A backhoe was brought in on Tuesday to dig through rubble in an effort to determine the cause of the blaze.
Trenton Chamber Executive Director Debbie Carman said the chamber and license bureau will remain closed until a new location can be found.
This and That is owned by Scott Treadwell while Jodie Barron is the owner of Cut and Curls.
Assisting the fire department in fighting the blaze were the Grundy County Rural Fire Protection District, the Chillicothe Fire Department, the Jamesport Fire Department, the Laredo Fire Protection District, Grundy County EMS, the Trenton Police Department, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Trenton Street Department, TMU, Empire Gas, Grundy County Emergency Management and the Grundy County CERT Team. Food and warm drinks were provided by local businesses.