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Kohlsdorf's burns

BY KRISTEN CATES
THE SOUTHERN

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 6:38 AM CST

ZEIGLER - A Southern Illinois landmark was destroyed Monday night in an early-evening fire that had crews from West Frankfort, Royalton, Sesser and Benton aiding Zeigler firefighters, working multiple hoses to extinguish flames.

Kohlsdorf's Quality Corner, an 87-year-old clothing store on Zeigler's town square, was completely gutted by flames that broke out just after 5 p.m.

"Everything I own was in this store," owner Mike Restivo said as he watched flames bursting through the roof and spilling out the windows of the building.

Fire Chief Bob Partee said he didn't yet know the cause of the fire, but knew crews would be working into the late evening hours trying to keep the fire from spreading to the nearby Circle Cafe and apartment complexes.

There were no injuries reported.

Partee said he was working on the square when he came around the corner next to the store just after 5 p.m. and saw fire coming out of the front window.

"I didn't understand how come nobody had called," he said, immediately rushing to the station to ring the fire bell. "I pulled the first truck up here and the whole building was on fire."

Restivo said he didn't know what happened; he was there until the shop closed at 5 p.m.

"Everything was fine at 5 o'clock," he said. "Then the alarm company called at 10 after five and I got here at 5:15 p.m."

Partee said the fire was particularly "hot" because of all the clothing involved in the burn, which only added fuel to the fire. He said a lot of lint and dust likely had collected in the building, only adding to the problem.

"There's a lot and lot of clothes in there," Partee said.

As the sun started to disappear to the west, and onlookers arrived at the scene from all directions, a plume of black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Three ladders were extended above the two-story building, as firefighters were attempting to calm the fire that had eaten through the roof, causing it to collapse early.

Partee said he had so many hoses working the scene, he doubted people in Zeigler would have water the next day.

Restivo said he would call the insurance company today.

Bill Weston was on his way home from Sesser when his wife called and told him the store was on fire. He stood to the side of the building watching the yellow and gold flames.

"I could see smoke and flames on my way back from Sesser," he said. "It's a shame, a landmark like that. It's been here forever."

kristen.cates@thesouthern.com

(618) 529-5454 ext. 5804