Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993 TAG: 9312040037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Short
Winston Burks Jr., owner of Bridge Street Antiques, said the fire started about 9 a.m.
"Someone came to the door and said there was smoke coming from the second floor," he said. "Within five minutes, there must have been about 75 people in the store helping to move furniture. It looked like they just materialized out of the sidewalk."
The items were taken to a nearby furniture store.
Fire Chief Michael Burnette said the fire was caused by old electrical wiring in the ceiling between the first and second floors.
Burks said the upstairs was used mainly for storage of unfinished furniture, some of which was damaged. But thanks to the efforts of the volunteers, very few pieces received water damage, he said.
After seven years in his Bridge Street location, Burks said he plans to reopen the store unless the building is condemned.
Inspectors will tour the building next week.
Burks had almost finished renovating space next to his store which he was going to rent to a new business this month, but now major repairs such as rewiring and replacing structural damage have jeopardized those plans.
There are no damage estimates yet, he said.
The Bedford Fire Department was aided by the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department, Bedford Rescue Squad and the Rubatex Rescue Squad.
by CNB