Reach and Son Battery manufacturing plant was gutted Friday at 9:30 pm by a fire that is believed to have started around a small gas burner used for heating sealing compound. Marion Fire Chief Lonnie Dungey said the wood structure at 1007 W. Aikman was heavily damaged by fire, water and smoke. Dungey said the fire could have started from faulty wiring. The business which was started in 1923 by the late Regent David Reach, a retired coal miner, is now being leased by Dale L. Baker, Route 7. The original owner died in 1959 and the company was taken over by his son, Van A. Reach. Baker leased the business when Reach died in 1965. The building is owned by the widow of Van Reach. Mrs. Alice Reach said she had no idea of the value of the building. Baker explained today he lost more than $4,000 in equipment in the fire. Baker said he distributes Reaco batteries from Belleville to Morganfield, Ky. but did not know the exact number of business firms. Baker said he planned to open an undamaged portion of the building Wednesday. He said he would be unable to get into full production until the building is rebuilt. “I’m covered with insurance; therefore, I won’t have to close my doors due to the fire,” explained Baker. Dungey said the flames shot high into the air after reaching an exhaust fan Friday. The battery firm manufactures both six and twelve volt varieties. In 1955 the business had swelled to 300 business firms and coal mines in the Midwest. Reach started the original firm with one battery in the south end of the present building. As business picked up, he enlarged the building and joined another building to the original one for the present site. A phrase, “Reach for a Reaco Battery” became known throughout this area and the business continued to grow to its present state.

(Extracted from local newspapers and compiled by Harry Boyd, posted at http://www.marionfire.us )