| (WJZ) MOUNT AIRY, Md. It's been described as one of the worst fires in Mount Airy since the 1960s and now businesses and residents are left to pick up the pieces.
Chaos on Main Street by early Sunday morning: billowing smoke, destructive flames and dozens of firefighters scrambling to stop it. The three-alarm blaze gutted two buildings, ruining a total of seven businesses and destroying the upper floor apartments that several families called home.
There were no injuries, but it was still a tough battle for firefighters.
"At one time, we were flowing about 7,500 gallons a minute to knock this thing down and just couldn't make it happen," said Doug Alexander.
Monday in Mount Airy, hundreds came to Main Street.
"We could see the smoke from our house. The kids were curious. They wanted to see the devastation. I mean, it's so sad," said Faith Dixon.
Tears for the business owners. Some lost everything.
"I feel like I have a death in the family. You know, it's pretty devastating," said Deja Vu store owner Joann Sapp.
The Olde Town Restaurant, a fixture here on Main Street, is now closed. The new owners say it will take a while to repair the extensive damage.
"Today I've got 12 or 13 people out of a job and just feeling pretty hopeless, helpless. Just hope that the town...I know we will, we'll all come together and make it bigger and better," said Don Caiola.
"Main Street's one big family here," said Rob Scranton.
Scranton owns one of the buildings that housed several businesses. He promises to rebuild
"We're actually going to set up a business park in the parking lot that we own. We've talked to the adjacent property owner. We are going to bring in some modular units and we're going to have the businesses back up and running in a month or so," he said.
"It's certainly a tragedy. It's a difficult time for the community, but Mount Airy comes together at a time like this," said Mayor Frank Johnson.
Officials say they'll hold a town meeting to figure out ways they can help the businesses and residents affected by this fire.
The Red Cross is helping the families displaced by the fire and the city has set up a disaster relief fund to help the victims. Donations can be made at Town Hall or New Windsor State Bank.
You can send contributions to:
Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 53
Mount Airy, MD 21771
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View WJZ 13's coverage at: http://wjz.com/video/?id=30897
For more pictures, please visit Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company's website: http://www.mavfc.org |
