Downtown fire

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MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Fire Department is currently responding to a basement fire at 201 S. Main St.

The MVFD was dispatched at approximately 6:45 this morning to a call of a basement fire. Bodi N Balance is located on the first floor of the building.

South Main and Gambier streets in downtown are closed.

First-Knox National Bank has closed its South Main Street main office until further notice, according to Barb Barry, vice president of marketing and community relations. Barry said the reason behind the closing is the smoke from the structure fire. Other branches throughout the city and county are open.

The Alcove Restaurant on Main Street is closed until further notice.

Creative Foundations Adult Day Services is closed today.

More details will be published as they become available.

(8:26 a.m.) — MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Fire Department is currently responding to a basement fire at 201 S. Main St.

The MVFD was dispatched at approximately 6:45 this morning to a call of a basement fire. Bodi N Balance is located on the first floor of the building.

South Main and Gambier streets in downtown are closed.

8:04 a.m. —MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Fire Department is currently responding to a basement fire at 201 S. Main St.

The MVFD was dispatched at approximately 6:45 this morning to a call of a basement fire.

South Main and Gambier streets in downtown are closed.

image gallery

29 photos

This entry was posted on Monday, October 25th, 2010 at 8:04 amand is filed under breaking, story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

  • Beth

    This is a huge historical loss and a sad day in Mount Vernon. Thank you MVFD and all others that responded, we truly appreciate what you do!

  • Evelyn Elbin

    Let us all pray for all the people involved in this tragedy. I remember shopping there at Kresge’s many years ago. Does anyone know when this building was built?

  • Dave

    The sad part about any fire is the lives that will be changed because of it. The business owners who lose everything, the people who had apartments above the business who lose everything, the residents who have fond memories of that corner and the downtown business district that will never be the same. This day will go down in the history of Mount Vernon, never to be forgotten as unfortunate as it may be.

    But, with time, people will rebuild their lives and businesses and the town will again prosper.

    My heart goes out to those who have lost anything today…………

    And may God protect those who are out there working on the scene.

  • Michael Lahmon

    If this building has to be taken down, which I’m sure it will due the damages, it will be a historical loss to the downtown area. That building has seen ton of history pass by It’s windows, it’s a shame to Lose it but we can thank the training of our brave firemen that no ones been hurt. Thank you MVFD for our protection.

  • Michael McQuigg

    This is so eerily similar to what we experienced here in Fredericktown recently, God bless everyone envolved.

  • michelle

    I hope everyone stays safe. Their are a lot of strong men and women out their working on this situation and I thank them all. I sit here at work and here about what down town was like. I know this is going to be a major deal for a lot of people and I am sad about the situation . I wish i could have been their to see what it was like then..

  • Fran

    Does anyone know when the last fire was on Main St. Do remember the phone company had a

    fire many years ago on Gambier St.

  • Sami

    I understand the concern for the buildings, but let’s please also pray for the men and women fighting those fires. My dad is one of them. Let’s keep in mind that buildings can be rebuilt, but families can’t.

  • smoke man

    I was down there and The “Old Ben Franklin” building is toast. befor bailing out there was smoke coming out of the art gallery and the fire fighters were trying to pour water down the old coal shoots in both buildings.

  • Renelle Annett

    All of down town has special memories for me, growing up in a time when it was booming. I still love every store front. I hope it can be saved, no injuries and that it can be controlled to just one area.
    Thank you to fire personnel and all who are working this fire.

  • Gordon Griffin

    Just watched video and photos on-line here in Tennessee. What a tragedy.
    Thanks for making photos available.

  • mvnustudent

    Anything on the art building? damage to any part of the building or artwork?

    • Joshua Morrison

      We’re still gathering information, we have reporters on the scene and photographers so we should have another update shortly.

  • Juanita S

    This is my gym. I know a couple of the people who work and work out there.
    This is devistating for so many people.

    • DP Fitness

      DP Fitness 505 Wooster Rd use your member there

  • Kevin Todd Yocum

    Wow! That is such a huge blow to Mount Vernon, I also remember the drug store and Ice cream fountain in the back. This is hard to believe but I am seeing on the video.

  • Brian

    I hope the owner of Bodi n Balance has a plan for the members. I bought a 3 year membership :-(

    • Jess

      really dude… right now ur concerned about a 3 year membership?? what about worrying about the people that are there fighting the fire and risking their lifes. My membership would be my last concern right now. im sure the gym will take care of your stupid membership when everything else is said and done. GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • DonS

        Jess, why aren’t you chewing out the people that are more concerned about their artwork next door? Shouldn’t they be more concerned about the firefighters too?

    • DP Fitness

      Go to DP Fitness at 505 Wooster Rd they will honor your membership maybe, 627-0341

      • Glenn

        LOL….One idiot is worried about his membership, the other idiot is all too ready to capitalize on someone’s loss to advance themselves.

    • LS

      Hey Jess….I am sure that he is very concerned about the people fighting the fire. But just as the owners of the building are wondering what they are going to do now…I am sure everyone else that has a membership is wondering the same thing. We are all praying for the safety of everyone fighting the fire and I am praying that everything will work out for all involved (the owners, the patrons, etc.)

  • chris

    i worked at the Ben Franklin when i was in High School. I hope they can save the building and no one gets hurt

  • David Robins

    Creative Foundations Adult Day Services is closed today. We will keep everyone updated!

  • jennifer Dial

    Oh my:( just heard about this fire this is too bad

  • J hoey

    i remember shopping there to and walking to the store to meet my parents after school on fridays. A lot of memories in the store like the small cafe and restaurant they had in the store.

  • Sharon

    Please continue to post updates on this fire.
    Thank you for being there and providing the information you have already provided. Great job!

  • Susan Smith Doup

    So sorry! I don’t get home as often as I like, but I remember shopping at Kresge’s when I was in school. Hope no one was hurt and that everything turns out fine.