Last Friday, Decatur County was rocked by a serious structure fire at GSM Outdoors in Parsons, with local emergency services banding together in response. The Decatur County Emergency Management Agency reported on social media that the structure is still emitting smoke and smoldering. It is an occurrence that could persist for several days. The factory's management maintained that no hazardous chemicals were housed on the premises, yet air monitoring tests were conducted by the Selmer Fire Department as a precaution. The tests, fortunately, indicated no hazards in surrounding neighborhoods, but authorities are still urging people to stay clear of the area.
The initial call to 911, signaling the blaze at the outdoor equipment manufacturer, came in at approximately 12:28 PM that day. A quick surge in the intensity of the fire made it apparent that backup was needed, prompting an all-call to fire departments across the county. Among the responding were Lexington City, Madison County, and Chester County Fire Departments—each contributing crucial resources and manpower. Air Evac 141, situated close to the fire, was evacuated temporarily due to safety concerns. Additionally, residents in the vicinity of the fire were asked to evacuate.
During the ordeal, several firefighters sustained minor injuries. "A few were transported to Henderson County Community Hospital and are in good condition," the Emergency Management Agency conveyed. Others received treatment on the scene from attending EMS crews. The list of assisting EMS agencies was extensive, including teams from Henderson, Perry, Hardin, Medical Center, Houston Counties, and the TN Dept. of Health Division of EMS, and the Jackson-Madison County Health Department.
