Business owners mourn at fire

Friday, September 03, 2010 10:55 AM |

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Updated Monday, May 23, 2011 1:40 PM

The Webb Road Flea Market was destroyed by fire on Friday morning. Emergancy personnel from Rowan and Cabarrus counties worked to control the fire and scene during rush hour along I-85. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Spectators watch the 3-alarm-fire at the Webb Road Flea Market on Friday morning. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Firefighters responded to a 3-alarm-fire at the Webb Road Flea Market on Friday morning. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

Some business owners looked on in horror and tears this morning while others simply shrugged as their businesses and the Webb Road Flea Market went up in flames.

There was no word yet from fire officials as to what caused the three-alarm blaze at the sprawling, 25-year-old Rowan County flea market just off I-85. The fire was reported at about 7:30 a.m.

Water supplies were still holding up at 10:30 a.m. while multiple fire departments continued to douse the smoking mass of metal. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles surrounded the flea market area, and helicopters hovered overhead.

While smaller birds perished, some other larger birds and animals at the Pet Place, located in the flea market, reportedly survived.

Paul Swaim of Denton lost his general merchandise store and about $15,000 worth of inventory.

“It’s just one of those things,” Swaim said as he watched the fire from his car, pulled off I-85 at exit 70.

Swaim lost another business when the U.S. Flea Market at exit 85 burned several years ago.

Others took the news harder.

“I can’t find the words,” said a man who calls himself Jahlove.

He owned Culture Image, a reggae store, in the flea market.

While Jahlove opened his booth one year ago, “some people were here for 20 years,” he said. “They made their business here and they come to see this. They’ve lost everything.”

Contact Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.

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