Fire destroys historic Maine general store
Fire destroys historic Maine general store
WMTW NEWS8 TYLER ADORETTE TELLS US HOW THE COMMUNITY IS COPING WITH THE LOSS. SCRIPT: 30:01 AN ION HERE IN WELD - ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE VISITING THE AREA TO GO CAMPING AND HIKING - IS NOW UNRECOGNIZAB. THIS IS WHAT REMAINS OF THE HISTORIC GENERAL STORE. 30:10 THE TOWN'S MOST RECOGNIZABL BUILDING IS A PILE OF DEBRIS TODAY. WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE STRUCTURE AFTER THE FIRE HAD TO BE TORN DOWN BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. NOW THIS COMMUNITY IS COMNG TO TERMS WITH THE LOSS OF A PIECE O ITS HISTORY. A NEIGHBOR SAYS TE STORE -- BUILT IN THE EARLY 1800'S -- WAS THE LONGEST CONTINUALLY OPERATNG ONE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. IT WAS A FIXTURE FOR LOCALS WHO SHARED MANY EXPERIENCES THEE? AND VISITORS WHO FREQENTLY STOPPED IN WHILE PASING THROUG TOWN. THE STORE'S OWNER LIVED IN THE BUILDING AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT EARLY MONDAY WHEN THE FIRE STARTED? BUT FIRE CHIEF COREY HUTCHINSON SAYS THE FLAMES SPREAD TOO QUICKLY TO SAVE THE STORE. BORN AND RAISED IN WELD? HE UNDERSTANDS ITS SIGNIFICANCE. 16:58 HISTORICALLY IT BASICALLY MEANS ALMOST EVERYTHING TO THE TWN. IT'S AN ICON TO THE TOWN. 17:08 31:40 THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS HE DOESN' KNOW OF ANY SET PLANS FOR THE SORE OR ITS OWNER GOING FORWARD BUT BELIEVE THE COMMUN
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Fire destroys historic Maine general store
Fire leveled the historic Weld General Store early Monday morning, according to fire officials.The fire was reported just after 3 a.m. Crews from several towns battled the flames.Investigators believe the fire started on the ground floor but could not determine the exact cause. There is no suspicion of foul play.Officials said what was left of the building had to be torn down because of safety concerns.The building dated back to the early to mid-1800s.
WELD, Maine —
Fire leveled the historic Weld General Store early Monday morning, according to fire officials.
The fire was reported just after 3 a.m. Crews from several towns battled the flames.
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Investigators believe the fire started on the ground floor but could not determine the exact cause. There is no suspicion of foul play.
Officials said what was left of the building had to be torn down because of safety concerns.
The building dated back to the early to mid-1800s.