A fire on Monday evening destroyed a historic building in Forest City, N.C., which housed Farmers Hardware for three generations. Fire Chief Billy Samuel reported that firefighters arrived around 5 p.m. to find flames coming through the roof, leading to a response from 50 to 60 firefighters who used about 500,000 gallons of water.
The building was vacant at the time, with no suspicion of anyone inside. While the hardware store was a total loss, fire walls prevented the flames from spreading to nearby businesses, which experienced water damage but no fire. Inspectors were on-site Tuesday to assess the damage and secure the area.
The building, owned by the Weathers family since the early 1920s, held significant sentimental value, representing over a century of family history. James Weathers, the last owner, noted that the building had remained empty since being sold in 2022. Tragically, the fire coincided with his 84th birthday, leading to a day filled with messages about the disaster rather than celebrations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation along with local fire marshals.
