Cape firefighters respond to fire at Prairie Lane business

Heavy, black smoke billowed out of a local business Wednesday as fire crews responded to a fire at Prairie Lane and Wintergreen Drive.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to fire at Elite Development LLC, 2607 Prairie Lane, at about 4:40 p.m.

Nick Baker, son of Elite Development's owner, said an employee was welding a dump truck and a spark ignited oil on the ground. Two tractors, a backhoe and a Corvette were in the business at the time of the fire. He said there were no injuries.

Scott City, East County, Jackson and Gordonville firefighters assisted in fighting the flames that mostly targeted the back of the business, which contained construction and landscaping materials.

Cape Girardeau fire chief Rick Ennis said equipment from an office in the front of structure was saved and crews were attempting to salvage items from an apartment above the

office.

The state fire marshal arrived at Elite Development at 6:15 p.m. Crews were on the scene for several hours. Cape Girardeau firetrucks were beginning to be put back in service and mutual aid was released around 9:20 p.m.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635