By Rupert Howell
A fire Wednesday afternoon destroyed the former “Royal Crown” building which most recently was used for mattress recycling at the Sardis Industrial Park.

Sardis Mayor Billy Russell who owns the building said he had recently repossessed the building in November and was in the process of cleaning up the building and grounds.

A fire in an open area outside the building apparently spread to foam bales next to the building radiating through the walls to the bales located within according to Sardis Fire Chief Chuck Moore
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Moore said wood framing and scraps were being burned in the open area outside the building but spread to the foam, baled tightly for recycling. The bales burned similar to cotton bales and were difficult to extinguish, according to Moore.

“We got the (fire) call about 2:15 p.m. and left about 7:30,” Moore said stating that his department had returned twice during the night, at 1a.m. and again at 7:30 a.m. to cool down hot spots rekindled from the bales.
 
“We just left the hoses there—we knew we would have to return,” the Sardis Chief said.

Departments responding with pumpers and manpower in addition to Sardis included, Batesville, Como, Pleasant Grove, Red Hill, Courtland and Crenshaw.