They were just as surprised as Hale when they heard about last Wednesday's fire that destroyed a building housing two Warrenton businesses, including Hale's H & H Outfitters. "Those guys were crying," said Hale as he went through the rubble Friday morning with the help of friends. "It tears you up." The building, located on the south service road near the outlet mall, was occupied by H & H and Noah's Bark which also received extensive damage. A third office space was unoccupied. The cause of the fire is still unknown, said Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby. Investigators from the State Fire Marshall's Office and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents inspected the scene Thursday and Friday. The ATF agents responded because H & H sold guns and ammunition. Owenby said the fire started in the southeast corner of the building in an unoccupied attic area, which was not accessible to either business. The fire was not ruled suspicious, Owenby noted. "We couldn't find one individual cause," he said Monday morning. Owenby said when firefighters responded to the call at 8:43 p.m., the building already was engulfed. Flames were shooting out of the roof when Owenby arrived two minutes later. Firefighters from Wright City and Wentzville also responded to the scene. Owenby said his department took extra precautions while fighting the fire due to the ammunition inside, which could be heard popping. Plus, the unstable building kept firefighters from getting inside. The north section of the building collapsed while fire officials were on the scene. On Friday morning, Hale and friends sorted through the rubble to see if anything was salvageable. He was documenting what was found for insurance purposes. Hale said he was covered, but added, "You realize everybody is underinsured." Along with the guns and ammo, H & H Outfitters sold antiques, native American jewelry, Western memorabilia, baseball cards, videotapes and other assorted items. Hale has operated his business six years, all at that location. He pointed out his store has drawn in many tourists from out of the country and has been a stop for others from Columbia, Hannibal and Belleville, Ill. "I would love to stay here in Warren County," Hale said. "Yes, I am going to open again. I am too successful at it to not to." The space that housed Noah's Bark, a professional pet grooming business, also received significant damage. Some of their belongings were saved, but the office space was totaled. Randy Lewis, president of Liberty Development and Properties, LLC, the owners of the building for over four years, said he plans to rebuild at the location and hopes both tenants return. "To see them lose everything is terrible," Lewis said. "It's absolutely terrible. That is their livelihood. I feel so bad."

Fire Destroys Two Warrenton Businesses

Fire Destroys Two Warrenton Businesses