MOUNT VERNON — An early morning fire today destroyed Rivers Edge Hunting and Fishing at 306 W. Gambier St.
The 6,000-square-foot building was already fully involved when a passing truck driver saw fire inside the building. According to the truck driver, who declined to give his name, he knocked on the front door of the fire department, barely 100 yards away from Rivers Edge, to alert firefighters.
Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy said that when firefighters arrived, they went in the front of the building, as well as a side door, with attack lines. But fire was already rolling around the interior of the building, and firefighters had to back out to avoid a flash fire. Christy said the back one-third of the concrete block building was completely in flames, apparently from combustible material in the store. Firefighters’ only option at that point, he said, was defensive, protecting a home next door to Rivers Edge Hunting and Fishing, as well as Smitty’s Carpet and Wazie World. None of the other three buildings were damaged.
A live power line that fell across Gambier Street, sending sparks arching from the wire, created early problems for firefighters. Firefighters had to work around the wire in the pitch-black night until an American Electric Power crew shut off the power. No firefighters were injured.
When the alarm came in at 4:30 a.m., the Mount Vernon Fire Department called in off-duty firefighters and summoned mutual aid from surrounding departments. Fredericktown Community Fire Department sent an engine and 10 firefighters; College Township its ladder truck; Homer Fire Department sent a fire truck; and Centerburg Joint Fire District sent an engine. Mount Vernon had three engines and its tower truck on the scene.
The building is owned by Gary Gray, who said three antique cars were stored in the rear of the building. Firefighters said they tried to open the double door to the garage, but it stuck about a third of the way up. One of the three antique cars belongs to Gray, a 1932 Plymouth coupe; the other two he stored for out-of-town owners. Gray said he has owned the property eight years. He said he has insurance on the building and the cars.
Gray formerly had a small auto museum in the space occupied by the Rivers Edge store.
Christy said there was a a gusty wind out of the southwest that fanned the fire and blew smoke over downtown Mount Vernon. He said there was plenty of water to fight the fire, but some equipment was lost. The biggest problem is the tower truck, which simply shut down. As of press time, the truck is still unable to be moved, and is stuck with the hydraulic outriggers still extended. The MVFD also lost some hose and other equipment.
The Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross came to the fire station, and served food and beverage to the tired and hungry firefighters. Some firefighers and equipment were still on scene at press time.
