A grain elevator was burned in the Village of Corning, Missouri, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 7.

By Margaret Slayton, Mound City News

The Northwest Holt Fire Protection District in Craig, Missouri, and the Holt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a grain elevator fire in the Village of Corning, Missouri, in the early morning of Tuesday, February 7, 2023. A small vacant house located two blocks south was then spotted to also be on fire. Ronnie Haer, fire chief, said the fire started around 5:45 a.m. and is believed to be a possible case of arson because the house did not have electricity and the wind was not blowing in a direction that should have spread the fire. Haer said the fire in Corning could be seen from Craig.

The grain elevator, owned by Craig Supply & Grain Company in Craig, was a landmark for residents in the community. It was a Woodhouse elevator that was commonly built in the early 1900s. The grain bin smoldered for three days after the fire.

“We looked at all the buildings and houses and did not see anyone, but it was a suspicious fire,” Holt County Sheriff Steve Portman said. “The deputy and I split up to look around, but we did not see anyone else.”