CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.-Plaza Tire Service Inc. plans to rebuild and expand a section of its warehouse lost in a Nov. 19 fire. The Cape Girardeau-based dealership suffered an estimated $1 million in damages from the fire, which destroyed about a fourth of a 40,000-sq.-ft. complex that houses its headquarters, warehouse and retail store. The fire resulted from an electrical short, owner Vernon Rhodes said.
No one was in the warehouse at the time of the fire, which consumed about 4,600 truck and high performance tires. The dealership, which operates 21 stores in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, intends to rebuild and expand by 11,000 square feet.
Mr. Rhodes said the 32-year-old dealership has experienced several tragedies over the years from tornadoes to floods, but the fire has been the worst. Still, the dealership was able to continue business as normal following the weekend fire, and the loss was covered by insurance, he said.