Pontotoc Furniture Factory Executive Says American Furniture Fire Brings Up ‘Bad Memories’

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI)- Thursday’s fire brought back many bad memories for employees at nearby Washington Furniture .

A fire at Washington Furniture’s Pontotoc plant destroyed production lines and a warehouse in September.

That blaze was ruled arson, and authorities are still searching for a suspect.

The company was able to set up production lines in another building on the site that wasn’t damaged in September’s blaze.

Although employees were back on the job quickly, the impact is still being felt throughout the community and furniture industry.

“The ripple effect that occurs after something like this happens, it really rocks the community.  We are for business, here to give people jobs, support people’s families and when something like this happens it paralyzes everyone,” said John Beard, Vice President of sales .

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fire at Washington Furniture.