BROOKHAVEN — Mike McKenzie with WGK Engineering said the next step for the Stahl-Urban building is to send pictures to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The update came at a regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday evening 

The former Stahl-Urban Building located at 109 Main Street experienced a major fire on February 26, 2024. MDAH considered the building a Mississippi Landmark and thus required a permit to demolish the building prior to the fire. 

A spokesman with the MDAH said it is possible the fire caused the building to lose its historic significance last week. A loss of historic significance would drop the landmark status. The City of Brookhaven would thus no longer need a permit to demolish the building. 

McKenzie said they are working to send pictures to MDAH this week. If MDAH deems the historic significance has been lost then Greenbrier Digging Services would be cleared to clean up the rubble on the property. 

Brookhaven Fire Chief Jeff Ainsworth has warned people to stay out of the rubble because it’s not safe. Walls are compromised there. Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox echoed similar concerns Tuesday. 

He said the site “Needs to be secured to be safe,” referring to extending the city’s fence around the property.

Fire response

Tuesday evening, Ainsworth reiterated his thankfulness to Bogue Chitto, Hog Chain, East Lincoln, Ruth, Heucks Retreat, Loyd Star and New Sight Volunteer Fire Departments for their work last week.  

“When we call, they show up just like they always do,” Ainsworth said. “Chris (Reid) was there, and diverted (VFD) trucks to take care of smaller fires I wasn’t even aware of, so a big shout-out to them.We pumped 1,200 gallons per minute through the ladder truck, about 400,000 gallons, and never lost pressure.” 

Kris Xifos, public works director, said last week the water pressure is normally around 61 psi but never dropped below 57 during the fire. Trucks were unable to use the hydrants in front of the Stahl-Urban building because they were not connected to the water system.