PERRYVILLE – Firefighters were called out Saturday afternoon to a silo fire at the Gilster Mary Lee plant on North Highway 51 in McBride.
According to a news release the alarm was sounded at approximately 1:15 p.m., and the Perry County Rural Fire Department was dispatched to the 8300 block of North Highway 51 for a reported commercial structure fire involving two grain silos.
Upon arrival, the first responding officer observed smoke coming from two approximately 70-foot-tall silos. Facility management advised firefighters that one silo contained flour dust while the second contained approximately 10 feet of corn dust, creating the potential for a hazardous dust explosion.
The Perryville Fire Department responded with its aerial ladder truck and positioned it adjacent to the silos. Two portable drop tanks were established to provide a continuous water supply, while the Chester Fire Department supplied water from the drop tanks to the aerial apparatus.
As crews completed setup, fire vented from the top of one silo while heavy smoke was observed coming from an access door. Due to the significant risk of a combustible dust explosion, firefighters carefully adjusted their strategy. Two firefighters ascended the aerial ladder and opened an access door, allowing crews to begin applying water directly into the affected silo.
As conditions improved, firefighters transitioned to an interior attack using a handline. Fire suppression efforts proved challenging because water mixed with the stored product, creating thick, slippery conditions that made movement and extinguishment difficult.
Recognizing the need for additional aerial access, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department was requested to respond with its 100-foot platform truck. Upon arrival, crews cut two access openings in an elevated catwalk to improve access to the fire area. After initial water application proved insufficient, the platform truck was re-positioned over the second silo, where water was delivered through an open manhole using a master stream. Once the master stream operation was completed, firefighters entered the silo to conduct overhaul operations and confirm that all remaining hot spots had been extinguished. After a thorough inspection, the fire was declared extinguished.
A total of 28 firefighters responded to the incident from the following departments:
- Perry County Rural Fire Department
- Perryville Fire Department
- Chester Fire Department
- Ellis Grove Fire Department
- Sparta Fire Department
- Cape Girardeau Fire Department
- Steelville Fire Department
- Ozora Fire Department
The Perry County Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service provided on-scene rehabilitation and medical monitoring for emergency personnel. Several firefighters were evaluated for heat-related stress during the extended operation; however, no firefighters required transport to a hospital.
The Perry County Rural Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to all assisting agencies for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment during this complex incident. The coordinated response and mutual aid provided by neighboring departments were instrumental in bringing the fire under control safely and efficiently.
Command was terminated at 10:50 p.m. on July 25, 2026.