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Hannibal, MO —
Cold temperatures did not appear to be hindering construction workers Thursday morning as they continued to erect a new building on the site where the Grand View Nursery’s structure had once stood just south of Hannibal on U.S. 61.
Vince Howald, general manager at Grand View Nursery, said Thursday the new structure will be larger than the previous building, which was destroyed by fire on Aug. 20.
“They will be digging out the hillside,” said Howald, noting that Terrill Construction of Hannibal is the contractor for the project.
While a new building was going up only several yards from the mobile office that has served as his business’ home since the fire, Joe Howald, owner of Grand View Nursery, declined to comment further Thursday morning about his immediate plans for the business, which has been operated by the Howald family since 1985. He would only say on the record that a statement regarding Grand View Nursery’s future will be issued within a short time.
Back in business
Grand View Nursery was working with its customers who lost equipment in the blaze even before the building, which was a total loss, had stopped smoldering.
A private investigation company, working in conjunction with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office, determined that the fire was accidental.
The investigation pinpointed the point of origin as the northern part of the attic in the two-story structure. The fire’s cause was called “undetermined” since the electrical system in the attic could not be ruled out as the cause.
The blaze, which is believed to have gone undetected for some time, was discovered by Joe Howald as he was locking the gate and preparing to leave for the evening.
The cleanup of rubble at the site was delayed for a time by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources until tests for asbestos could take place.
Cold temperatures did not appear to be hindering construction workers Thursday morning as they continued to erect a new building on the site where the Grand View Nursery’s structure had once stood just south of Hannibal on U.S. 61.
Vince Howald, general manager at Grand View Nursery, said Thursday the new structure will be larger than the previous building, which was destroyed by fire on Aug. 20.
“They will be digging out the hillside,” said Howald, noting that Terrill Construction of Hannibal is the contractor for the project.
While a new building was going up only several yards from the mobile office that has served as his business’ home since the fire, Joe Howald, owner of Grand View Nursery, declined to comment further Thursday morning about his immediate plans for the business, which has been operated by the Howald family since 1985. He would only say on the record that a statement regarding Grand View Nursery’s future will be issued within a short time.
Back in business
Grand View Nursery was working with its customers who lost equipment in the blaze even before the building, which was a total loss, had stopped smoldering.
A private investigation company, working in conjunction with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office, determined that the fire was accidental.
The investigation pinpointed the point of origin as the northern part of the attic in the two-story structure. The fire’s cause was called “undetermined” since the electrical system in the attic could not be ruled out as the cause.
The blaze, which is believed to have gone undetected for some time, was discovered by Joe Howald as he was locking the gate and preparing to leave for the evening.
The cleanup of rubble at the site was delayed for a time by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources until tests for asbestos could take place.
