photo by WJXT News4JAX
New images show the aftermath of Friday night’s fire at Hagan Ace Hardware store on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park.
The images show everything inside the building is completely charred.
Another photo shows what appears to be a fallen metal roof.
T L, the spokesperson for the Ace Hardware store, said she is still in shock from the fire. Saturday when she walked to the front door of the building to see what everything looked like, she described what she saw as a complete loss.
“Everything is gone,” L said. “It’s very eerie to be able to look in there and see through to the back of the building where normally that would be our warehouse area.”
She also mentioned how it’s interesting how the inside is so burnt, while the front of the building has minimal damage.
Dozens of first responders worked to put out the fire that started before 7 p.m. Friday. No customers or employees were injured from the fire, but a firefighter was taken to the hospital.
According to a social media post by the Orange Park Fire Department, the firefighter has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The fire also shocking former employees of the business.
News4JAX spoke with a man who worked at the company for 18 years who said this broke his heart.
And L said this is a lot for them to deal with.
“It’s very emotional,” L said. “This has been our homebase for 45 years so to see it catch fire last night and then watching that on the news and then coming here today to see the aftermath is, it’s awful. I feel so bad for my fellow employees and for my boss and his family. This is a really emotional day.”
The spokesperson said the company is working to figure out where the 33 employees who worked at the Blanding Boulevard location will go.
There are 10 other Hagan Ace Hardware stores across Northeast Florida, so she said it’s likely they’ll end up at one those locations while that one that was destroyed is worked on.
Legal Help After a Fire Accident
Fire accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Whether caused by faulty wiring, negligence, or unsafe conditions, you deserve justice. Ovadia Law Group is here to help. Their experienced attorneys understand the complexities of fire-related cases and work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable. From investigating the cause to negotiating with insurance companies, they handle every detail so you can focus on healing. Call 1-800-674-9396 today for a free consultation and let Ovadia Law Group fight for your rights.
Photo by: news4jax
