South Frontage business goes up in flames

Published 12:52 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016

By Alana Norris and Terri Cowart Frazier

The Vicksburg Post

A business on South Frontage Road was destroyed by fire Monday night.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

Saxton’s Tires, 1401 South Frontage Road, became engulfed in flames Monday night after owner Greg Warnock, who was working after hours, noticed smoke coming from the office area of the building, said Vicksburg Fire Deputy Chief Craig Danczyk.

Warnock had been working on his daughter’s car in the south end of the building when he noticed black smoke coming from the office.

“Warnock called 911 and then he started getting the cars out of the shop,” Danczyk said.

There was a partial collapse of a wall and a roofline fell injuring a member of the rescue team, Danczyk said. He was treated on site for general pain and was transported to Merit Health River Region Medical Center for further evaluation.

Because the building was on a conventional foundation, Danczyk said the fire burned from floor to roof causing a total loss of the shop. It even burned through a power line and an Entergy truck was called to the scene.

Danczyk said two things were working against the crews— the metal building, because it holds heat, and the materials kept in the shop including tires, oil and gasoline, which are volatile to heat and flames.

Warnock was not able to remove all of the cars, Danczyk said, and the fire damaged those left.

By 11:30 p.m. the fire was under control, but crews continued to work to make sure there were no more hot spots.

Danczyk said an investigation would take place Tuesday morning, but with the severity of the fire, it may take some time to determine the cause.

“So much was lost it’s going to be difficult to identify the point of origin,” Danczyk said.

In addition to rescue off duty personnel that were called to the scene, Danczyk said fire engine No. 8 by Home Depot and fire engine No. 2 from Indiana Avenue were called in to assist along with an ambulance.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

email author More by Terri Cowart