NE Mo. town loses downtown businesses to fire

SHELBINA, Mo. (AP) - A massive fire fought by 10 departments has left several businesses damaged or destroyed in a northeastern Missouri community.

The fire along the west side of the main street through Shelbina (shel-BEYE'-nuh) broke out around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Quincy Herald-Whig reports (http://bit.ly/nDxt2W) firefighters were still spraying water on the ruins well into Thursday morning.

The businesses shared a stone façade built in 1907. Kathleen Wilham, director of the Shelby County Historical Society, says it was the last truly historical building left in the town of about 1,700 people.

Police said the flames damaged or destroyed an auto parts store, barbershop, photography business and a collectibles store as well as a vacant storefront.

Shelbina is located about 35 miles west of Hannibal at the intersection of U.S. 36 and Missouri 15.


Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, http://www.whig.com