East Texas

By KELLY PREW and BETTY WATERS
STAFF WRITERS

OVERTON — A large fire engulfed a building in downtown Overton late Monday as firefighters from several fire departments fought the blaze. Power remained out throughout town. Flames were visible on the back side of the structure, at the corner of Rusk and Henderson streets, as billowing smoke covered the downtown area.

The building housed the Peanut Butter Emporium and Mustang Cleaners.

The fire broke out shortly after 8 p.m. Three fire trucks with hoses laid out and firefighters from Overton, Arp and New London fire departments were on the scene, and the Henderson fire department was on the way, Rusk County Sheriff Deputy Joe Panuco said about 10 p.m.

Troup, Bullard and Kilgore fire departments also rushed in. Other sources indicated fire departments from Crims Chapel and Carlyle may also have been aiding.

Panuco said as far as he knew, no one was in the building when the fire started and there were no injuries.

Both the Peanut Butter Emporium and Mustang Cleaners appeared to be destroyed, City Manager B.J. Potts said.

Carrie and Keith Parsons own the building and the Peanut Butter Emporium.

The Parsons, who live in an upstairs residence in the structure, had returned home from Tyler when Parsons saw smoke above the cleaners, Potts said. Parsons was able to get his wife and son out. Parsons said the Peanut Butter Emporium was a total loss. The business had been doing well but he did not know what the couple would do now. Potts said it appeared the cause of the fire was electrical. A transformer is believed to have started the fire, according to owners of nearby businesses.

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