Beech Tree News Network

A fire at the Bowling Green Pallet Company on Clarks Landing Road has destroyed a Butler County business and rattled the nerves of neighbors.

Dispatch received the initial call reporting the fire from an employee at 6:04 a.m. and firefighters from 2nd District were first on the scene just 20 minutes later. Morgantown and EMS also responded to the scene before 4th, Rochester, Hadley, and Barren River fire departments responded to help fight the blaze.

Kristy Davidson, who lives across the road from the factory, said that everything was fine at a little before 6:00 a.m. this morning. Then just a few moments later she heard sirens and went out on her porch to find the factory engulfed in flames. Davidson said that at approximately 6:50 there was an explosion that reportedly shook pictures on the wall in Davidson’s trailer. Smoke from the fire could be seen as far away as Aberdeen.

The last crews cleared the scene at 1:48 p.m. putting crews on the scene for more than 7 hours. Small explosions occurred from time to time as welding equipment was consumed by the flames.

According to Morgantown Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hampton, the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the ATF. The building and equipment inside were a total loss and the estimated damage right now stands at $750,000.

Responding to the fire were Morgantown, Rochester, 2nd, 4th along with Barren River and Hadley fire departments from Warren County. Also responding were Butler County EMS, WRECC linemen, employees with the Butler County Road Department, and ATF fire investigators.