Fire destroys 2 downtown businesses

By Bruce Whetten

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 1:47 PM MDT


An early morning fire destroyed two downtown businesses Tuesday.


(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Shortly after 2 A.M. crews from the Douglas Fire Department received a report of a fire in the 500 Block of Ninth Street in two businesses located between MelRose and Brown Page Mortuary.

Upon arrival Douglas Fire Chief Mario Novoa immediately summoned help from both the Pirtleville and Sunnyside Fire Departments. The Elfrida Fire Dept. was also called in to assist if needed.

The fire began in a business, Marylu’s Salon, and quickly spread next door to a building that was once a pool hall but had since been converted into a church whose name is not available at press time.

Officials at the scene recall a fire in the former pool hall now converted into a church approximately five years ago.

Dense smoke filled the air causing breathing problems for many in the area. The local DARC which was located several hundred yards away from the blaze complained of smoke in their building.

Sgt. Jose Duarte of the Douglas Police Department said they were advised to open their windows and doors and to turn on the ceiling fans to help ventilate the smoke out of the tenants rooms. Duarte quickly pointed out that no evacuations took place.

These two stores make it three down town stores that have been destroyed by fire in the last 10 months.

What started the fire is still too early say, Chief Novoa said.

More details will be posted online as they become available.


Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Get Real wrote on Jun 30, 2012 12:38 PM:

    " Everyone knows it was burnt down for insurances purposes. What a coincidence, the fire was started next to the building with insurance. Come on. "

    J.R. wrote on Jun 20, 2012 1:10 PM:

    " I don't want to open a can of worms, but is there anymore talk about buying an ariel ladder or quint truck, new or used for the fire dept? "

    Just wondering wrote on Jun 14, 2012 6:27 PM:

    " Who owns these buildings? Maybe all downtown buildings need a good inspection. I hope insurance fraud is not involved! "

    Douglas wrote on Jun 13, 2012 7:53 PM:

    " Wasn't the last fire one block over during the a.m. as well? "

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Douglas Dispatch is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in douglasdispatch.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Douglas Dispatch. The Douglas Dispatch does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Douglas Dispatch spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
   









Contact Us

Email the Editor
530 11th Street
Douglas, AZ 85607
tel: 520.364.3424
fax: 520.364.6750
Subscribe Online
Place A Classified