By Monica Land
EUPORA – Webster County government offices displaced by a fire earlier this month, reopened to the public with limited services Monday, Jan. 28, at 16 East Fox Avenue in Eupora.
Offices of the Webster County Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, Forestry Commission and County Purchasing Clerk have temporarily moved from the Webster County Courthouse in Walthall to 16 East Fox Avenue in Eupora.
On Jan. 17, Webster County residents watched in disbelief as fire ripped through their beloved and historic courthouse in Walthall. Fire officials said when they arrived on the scene around 2:30 a.m., flames were shooting from the southwest corner of the building.
Firefighters tried to contain the fire to that area, but under the threat of a winter storm, gusting winds fanned the flames causing the fire to spread quickly. Several neighboring volunteer fire departments were called in to assist, some with tankers to haul water.
Investigators said a faulty power surge protector in one of the offices may have been to blame.
Built in 1904, the courthouse sustained heavy damage, but vaults kept many important documents from being destroyed.
Essential county government services have continued without interruption since the fire including the Board of Supervisors which have held numerous board meetings in the Webster
County School Board Room in Eupora. Meetings are traditionally held in the courthouse.
Chancery Clerk Russell Turner and Circuit Clerk Deborah Hood Neal transferred office phones to their personal phones and Circuit Judge Clarence Morgan III held arraignments in the Justice Court Courtroom.
Inspectors said a restoration of the building is possible if the bricks and wall are structurally sound.
No decision has been made regarding a permanent location for the offices which occupied the Courthouse in Walthall.
County offices displaced from Walthall will temporarily share space with the Webster County Extension Service and the Webster County Justice Court. The Extension Service and Justice Court are permanently housed in Eupora.
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