Family Dollar destroyed in Thoreau
GALLLUP
Bill Woolman, county fire marshal, said the building was totally engulfed in flames when fire crews first got there about 3 a.m. Arson is suspected.
Seven fire crews from throughout the county were called out to fight the blaze and it wasn’t put under control until 6 a.m.
He estimated that the total damages, including loss pay to employees, will surpass $2 million.
Burglar alarms in the building went off before 2 a.m. but were ignored by office personnel because they had been having problems with the alarms in recent weeks, Woolman said.
But when the alarms at the front door went off, it triggered a response that resulted in fire and sheriff deputies being called to the scene.
Woolman estimated that about 35 county firefighters were involved in putting out the blaze.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow