KENNETT, Mo. -- A fire ripped through the Cotton Boll Sheltered Workshop in Kennett on Monday, destroying the building and shutting down a section of a major road to traffic. A section of the South Bypass was temporarily shut down as the Kennett Fire Department responded to the fire.

According to Capt. Paul Spain with the department, the fire originated in the rear of the structure in a paper recycling area of the building where 400-pound bales of cardboard and paper were stored. Officials say that there were 30 bales of paper and 30 bales of cardboard in the area. Officials say the structure is a total loss with 50 percent fire damage and 50 percent heavy smoke damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire

Marshal.

Firefighters from Caruthersville, Senath and Piggott, Ark., were called in to help fight the fire. According to reports, firefighters were on the scene until 11 p.m.

Spain said because of high winds, firefighting efforts were hampered and caused the blaze to spread throughout the rest of the structure.

Pertinent address:

Kennett, MO