Business & Economy

[Slideshow: Afternoon Photos Added] Early Morning Fire on Murray Court Square

WKMS | By Todd Hatton,

Whitney Jones

Published July 23, 2014 at 6:28 AM CDT

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Firefighters work to contain the fire from 5th Street

Troy Taylor

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View from 5th and Main Street

Troy Taylor

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Firefighters turn hoses on the building housing Thurman Campbell Accounting

Troy Taylor

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View from 6th and Maple

Troy Taylor

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Firefighters pour water from lifts on the backside of the burning buildings

Troy Taylor

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A smoky haze clouds the view of 5th from Maple Street

Troy Taylor

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Firefighters work to contain fire from Maple Street

Troy Taylor

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Afternoon progress

Troy Taylor

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Afternoon progress

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Afternoon progress

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Afternoon progress

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Afternoon progress

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Afternoon progress

Troy Taylor

(Click on the above photo to see the slideshow. More photos on our Facebook page)

UPDATE - 7/24/14 11:30 AM -- Murray firefighters remain on the scene since they are concerned about the possibility of small rekindling flames. The fire department is continuing to investigate the start of the fire, which they believe began at Wilson's Florist. Roads surrounding the damaged buildings remain closed.

UPDATE - Afternoon -- We added photos showing progress by the firefighters and some of the aftermath to the slideshow above. Check back later this afternoon for an updated report.

UPDATE - 8:25 AM -- Murray's Playhouse in the Park board members report the fire destroyed the theatre's props and costume storage facility, including extra seats that were part of newly-purchased set from Paducah's Market House Theatre.

The fire is the third major damage to court square area buildings in the last 6 months. In February a building collapsed on the corner of 4th and Main Streets. In late March, a roof collapsed near Court Square on South 4th Street due to rainfall .

UPDATE - 7:00 AM -- The blaze started at about 2 this morning in the building housing Wilson Florist and Profiles. Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Tinsely says the fire started at about 2 A.M. Wednesday. Tinsely says that so far, three buildings have been affected directly, but firefighters have not yet gone inside due to concerns of a roof collapse. Officials have closed Main Street between 4^th and 6^th streets, Maple between 4^th and 6^th, and the 5^th Street side of the court square to secure the scene in preparation for the fire marshal’s investigation.

ORIGINAL POST: Firefighters are working a blaze near Murray's Court Square. Earlier this morning, light from the flames was visible above the two- and three-story buildings. The state Fire Marshal is on-scene. Authorities have closed Main Street in Murray between 4th and 6th streets, Maple between 4th and 6th streets, and 5th Street near the square. At this time, the fire seems to have damaged the Wilson Florist building next door to the Bullpen Restaurant. We will bring more details as they become available.