At 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, the Lamar Fire Department received a call from a resident near 1900 Gulf Properties.
The property is best known locally as the old O'Sullivan Building. On arrival, the fire department found a working structure fire and requested mutual aid from area department. Fire crews responded from Liberal, Golden City, Jasper, Pittsburg and Carthage.
As of 7 a.m. July 3, the fire is still actively burning, but according to Fire Chief Rick Heinen, mostly contained.
It is estimated that roughly 500,000 square feet of the property and contents has been destroyed. The building is mostly being used as warehouse space for multiple companies.
The fire is being investigated by the Lamar Police Department in conjunction with the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office. They have two people of interest detained for questioning.
More information related to the fire will be released as it becomes available.
The original part of the building was constructed in the early 1950s and occupied by Rotary Power Motor. It was late occupied by Lawn-Boy and then O'Sullivan's in 1964, which was a large manufacturer of pressed household furniture. O'Sullivan left in 2007 and the site was purchased by 1900 Gulf Properties and has been primarily used for storage since that time.
The site which covers about 1.5 million square feet, has been a community staple for many years.
(From the Lamar Fire Department)
1 comment:
Randy, any updates on the investigation of the burning of the old O'Sullivan's Industries building?
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