Overnight fire at site of old Jamestown Mall

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - A fire broke out late Thursday night at the site of the old Jamestown Mall.

The fire started around 10:30 p.m.

Black Jack Fire Chief Roger Ellison says flames were coming through the roof when fire crews arrived.

Because the mall is under demolition, crews decided to let the fire burn itself out and stay on scene to watch it throughout the night.

“We were hampered with the fact there is no water on the premise and at the same time there was a water main break on Lindbergh, which reduced our ability to get water as well,” Chief Ellison said.

They planned to respond back and make a decision if the fire grew. An officer and city contractor stayed at the site to ensure safety.

“Subdivisions all around it,” Greenlaw said. “All they need is one wind to set everything ablaze.”

Demolition on the mall began three weeks ago. Prior to that, the hydrant and water infrastructure had been removed.

This is the fourth time the site has been on fire since it became vacant in 2014.

There was $12 million raised for demolition, with half the money coming from the state and the other half coming from the county. Leaders said demolition and restoration will take about seven months, during which the port authority will begin discussions with potential developers so they can move forward.

Johnnie Greenlaw lives down the street from the old mall.

“I got excited when I saw the fence had been put up that it was on the move,” Greenlaw said.

Neighbors tell First Alert 4 demolition is not moving as fast as they want, hoping to see something new replace the mall.

“I can’t get the mall back but I’m looking forward to whatever they have,” Greenlaw said. “I’m hoping it’s some businesses because all of our strip malls and everything in this north area is closed down.”

The cause of the fire isn’t clear but the fire chief tells First Alert 4 that because the mall is being demolished, there won’t be an investigation into it.