Family Dollar in downtown Gary destroyed by fire
GARY, Ind. (WNDU) - A Family Dollar store in downtown Gary was destroyed in a fire Thursday evening.
According to Gary fire officials, neighboring fire departments in Merrillville, Portage, Griffith, and Lake Ridge were called in to help extinguish the blaze at the store in the 1400 block of Massachusetts Avenue due to the size and nature of it.
Officials say an emergency partial demolition was required for the building after an explosion compromised the structural integrity of it and made it unsafe for first responders to enter.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
“I am pleased with the swift and coordinated response by our Gary Fire Department and the mutual aid teams from surrounding municipalities,” said Mayor Eddie Melton in a news release. “This incident highlights the importance of collaboration in times of crisis. We will continue to support the investigation and recovery efforts to ensure the well-being of our residents and businesses.”
The Gary Fire Department says it is working with Homeland Security to investigate the cause of the fire.
Copyright 2024 WNDU. All rights reserved.
