By Alana Norris and Terri Cowart Frazier

The Vicksburg Post

A business on South Frontage Road was destroyed by fire Monday night.

Saxton’s Tires, 1401 South Frontage Road, became engulfed in flames Monday night after owner Greg Warnock, who was working after hours, noticed smoke coming from the office area of the building, said Vicksburg Fire Deputy Chief Craig Danczyk.

Warnock had been working on his daughter’s car in the south end of the building when he noticed black smoke coming from the office.

“Warnock called 911 and then he started getting the cars out of the shop,” Danczyk said.

There was a partial collapse of a wall and a roofline fell injuring a member of the rescue team, Danczyk said. He was treated on site for general pain and was transported to Merit Health River Region Medical Center for further evaluation.

Because the building was on a conventional foundation, Danczyk said the fire burned from floor to roof causing a total loss of the shop. It even burned through a power line and an Entergy truck was called to the scene.

Danczyk said two things were working against the crews— the metal building, because it holds heat, and the materials kept in the shop including tires, oil and gasoline, which are volatile to heat and flames.

Warnock was not able to remove all of the cars, Danczyk said, and the fire damaged those left.

By 11:30 p.m. the fire was under control, but crews continued to work to make sure there were no more hot spots.

Danczyk said an investigation would take place Tuesday morning, but with the severity of the fire, it may take some time to determine the cause.

“So much was lost it’s going to be difficult to identify the point of origin,” Danczyk said.

In addition to rescue off duty personnel that were called to the scene, Danczyk said fire engine No. 8 by Home Depot and fire engine No. 2 from Indiana Avenue were called in to assist along with an ambulance.