Posted 1:53 am Thursday, March 20, 2008
Fire Rages In Big Sandy
By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer
BIG SANDY- Fire ravaged one downtown building and firefighters struggled to save five others late into the night Wednesday.
Staff Writer
BIG SANDY- Fire ravaged one downtown building and firefighters struggled to save five others late into the night Wednesday.
"The structural integrity of the building's been compromised and we don't want those brick walls to come crashing down," Upshur County Fire Marshal Paul Steelman yelled over the sound of spraying firehouses. "We're just hoping the firewall holds."
Skies blackened over the downtown and Big Sandy Police Department officers hurried to close U.S. Highway 80 for the six area volunteer fire departments that were speeding to Big Sandy's aid.
Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department firefighters said the blaze started in the end building of a row of six adjoining businesses. The business in which the fire started was used as a part-time tattoo parlor and apartment building.
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The local volunteer fire department didn't have far to travel. Flames were shooting from the roof of the building right across from the fire station and directly next door to the police station.
Water rushed like streams down East Gilmer Street and dozens of residents poured from their homes in sweatpants and pajamas to watch the scene.
"You would think the whole downtown was on fire from the way it looks," one woman said.
At 10:45 p.m., police strung yellow crime scene tape to keep curious onlookers at bay.
A firefighter attacks the blaze.
Among the crowd of onlookers was Big Sandy Mayor Wayne Weese.
"It's not going to be salvageable. We're just hoping the rest will be OK," Weese said.
As the night went on, more volunteer fire departments descended on the small town, offering equipment and manpower.
"These old buildings have a brick wall all the way up, and we're just hoping the firewall holds," Weese said.
Business owners whose livelihoods were connected to the burning building also came to watch and offer help.
Travis Brewer, office manager of TexasChecks, got a call from an employee at around 7 p.m. telling him a business several doors down from his was on fire.
"We're all connected," he said pointing to the adjoining row of six businesses. "I heard her say smoke and got dressed as soon as possible."
When he arrived at the fire, dozens of people were already helping move everything from file cabinets, computers and desks to rubber plants and bottled water, out of the Kelley Insurance building.
"It goes pretty fast when you have the whole town helping you," he said.
Neighboring business owners and strangers cleared his building in less than an hour when they finished helping the owner of Kelly Insurance clear her building.
"Hers was closer to the fire so we got that first," Brewer said.
At 10 p.m. he stood next to a crate of books watching firefighters continue to try and contain the blaze.
"It's going to be a long night," he said.
After midnight, firefighters were beginning to gain control of the blaze.
Updated Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. CDT
After midnight, firefighters were beginning to gain control of the blaze.
Updated Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. CDT
