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Fire was reported at Live Oak Nursery on Friday at approximately 6 p.m. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A weary Natchez Fire Chief Robert Arrington poses with Adams County Fire Service Chief Billie Humphreys after the fire was out at Live Oak Nursery Friday night. Arrington said the help of the volunteer fire service was essential to fighting the fire. (Photo courtesy KD Public Relations)

Firefighters work to put out the fire at Live Oak Nursery on Friday night. (Photo courtesy KD Public Relations)

Firefighters' efforts were hampered Friday night because of inadequate water pressures. A Natchez Water Works reserve tank in the was down. (Photo courtesy KD Public Relations)

Firefighters work to put out the fire at Live Oak Nursery on Friday night. (Photo courtesy KD Public Relations)

Onlookers watch as firefighter battle the Friday night fire at Live Oak Nursery. (Photo courtesy KD Public Relations)

NATCHEZ — Natchez Fire Chief Robert Arrington this morning is singing the praises of the volunteers and leaders of the Adams County Fire Service, as well as his own firefighters.

Natchez Fire Department firefighters were called to a blaze at Live Oak Nursery and Garden Center on Homochitto Street at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday.

When firefighters arrived, Arrington said the fire was well under way in the top floor and attic area of the building.

“The county volunteers were huge in our being able to put out that fire. A lot of them responded and brought their trucks. Because of the water pressure issues we were having, we would not have been able to do it without their trucks and their water. There is no way we could have won that fight without them,” Arrington said.

When firefighters arrived, they had trouble getting enough water pressure from city hydrants to fight the fire.

“Natchez Water Works has a reserve tank in that area and that reserve tank is down for repairs, so we did not have the water pressure we needed,” Arrington said. “A huge shoutout to our volunteers for coming through and bringing us some water. They brought several trucks, and were a huge help to us.”

Arrington said the cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation.

“We will initiate an investigation. Our fire marshal did contact the county fire investigator for help just because we want to make certain we do things thoroughly. We have contacted the state fire marshal’s office, who will also help. That investigation will continue on Monday,” he said.

Arrington said he thinks the fire started in a back section of the building.

“We are not 100 percent sure where it started because there was a lot of fire already when the guys arrived. The back section of the building was going pretty good and fire was already starting to come out of the windows,” he said.

Owner Dick Thompson, who was on scene for most of the night, said he thinks the fire was started by a disgruntled employee. Thompson, 80, said an employee assaulted him earlier in the day. That assault was reported to Natchez Police.

Arrington said the building, which Thompson said he built in 1979, suffered major damage.

“I won’t say it was a total loss but there was extensive fire damage. I do know the roof was compromised. The downstairs portion of the building has some fire damage, but not a whole lot,” he said.

Arrington called out all on-duty firefighters to help battle the fire.

“Because of the water pressure issues we were having, I called out all of our trucks. Thankfully, I had some guys who were off-duty to come out. A big thanks to those guys for showing up when they didn’t have to. Even one of my retired guys came out. And thanks to the county volunteers. Having so much support in the community really helped,” he said.

Firefighters were on scene until approximately 4 a.m. Saturday morning.

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