SELLERSBURG, IN (WAVE) – A massive fire has destroyed a southern Indiana strip center and the five businesses that were housed in it.
Firefighters were called out at 2:07 p.m. to 250 Hunters Station in Sellersburg on a report of smoke in a business. While searching for the source of the smoke, firefighters got much more.
The fire appears to have started in the first of the businesses in the strip mall, an insurance office. Terry Green, an agent at Farm Bureau Insurance, said when he started smelling smoke he called the fire department.
"We didn't see anything until we stepped about ten feet out from the parking lot, looked up and saw some smoke coming from the roof," said Green.
Green said the smoke was coming from the exterior sign at his business and he didn't think the fire would turn out to be as large as it got.
Green said that when firefighters punched a hole in the roof, the fire grew and started to spread. Green was able to warn employees at other businesses in the strip center - a florist shop, liquor store, chiropractic office and a Papa John's Pizza. All 10 people at the five businesses were able to get out safely, but they were just able to watch as black smoke filled the air and the fire quickly spread to each business.
Sandy Nance, the owner of Nance's Florist, watched the fire in disbelief.
"It's just sad that you have to go down like this. Nobody's hurt and that's all that matters, so we can fix this," said Nance.
It took firefighters from Sellersburg, Clarksville, Monroe Township and Lafayette Township to get the blaze under control, but Friday's high winds did not work in their favor. The Sellersburg Fire Department said in addition to the flames they were battling winds that were 35 miles per hour.
Several hours later those crews remained on the scene battling hot spots. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Sellersburg fire officials say nothing appears suspicious. The building that housed the five businesses appears to be a total loss. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are handing the investigation because a liquor store was involved.
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