Hamilton and Warsaw fire crews responded
Read more: Local, State, Economy, Community, Fire, Hamilton, Hamilton Illinois, Grocery Store
HAMILTON, ILL. -- The Illinois State Fire Marshall is investigating the fire that destroyed a Hamilton grocery store.
Firefighters with the Hamilton and Warsaw Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the Ducks Red Fox grocery store around two in the morning.
Although they were able to get the blaze under control in around an hour and a half, the entire building and its contents suffered significant heat and smoke damage.
Crews we talked to on the scene called it a total loss.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
This fire comes as a blow to residents, as they lose a long-time business.
Hamilton Fire Assistant Chief Dave LaKose said, "When we arrived we saw heavy smoke coming from the roof and flames coming from the rear of the building."
Firefighters used great care in fighting this blaze because of the possibility of explosions due to heat build-up in the metal building igniting chemicals inside, and these nearby propane tanks. Thanks to quick work by firefighters, those concerns were averted as they ventilated the building and removed these tanks from the heated areas.
Everything inside the Ducks Red Fox Grocery Store took on heat, water and smoke damage, leaving the facility as a complete loss.
KHQA talked with the owner of the grocery store. He did not want to go on camera but told me this was devastating, especially since he was to celebrate his first anniversary of owning the building in December. Now he and another part time worker are out of a job.
And the city of Hamilton is out of a grocery store. Duck's Red Fox had been open for 35 years...and was the only food store in town. Mayor Stephen Woodruff says the loss of tax revenue from this merchant hurts the city...and the residents who've shopped loyally for so many years.
What kind of an impact does the loss of a grocery store have on this community?
Mayor Woodruff said, "This will be significant. We learned in the flood last year, its nice to have someone local and not to depend on other towns. A lot of people depend on this store that can't get around."
During the flood of 93, when bridges over the Mississippi to Keokuk and Fort Madison were closed, Ducks Red Fox was the only way folks here could get groceries without driving a distance to the next town. But now it seems that life line is now in ashes.
The Illinois State Fire Marshall is expected to wrap up its investigation sometime today.
Firefighters told KHQA calling in the Marshall is standard procedure for all business fires.
We'll have more on this story as it develops.
