Furniture store destroyed in blaze

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Prichard furniture store. In all, three buildings were destroyed.

Wednesday night, fire crews responded to a fire at Sawyer Furniture on Wilson Avenue. The fire was contained at about 9:30 p.m. and a section of Wilson Avenue was closed for safety reasons. The cause of the fire is unknown. There are no injuries.

The flames were massive, rising 20 to 30 ft. from the ground. The smoke plume could be seen for miles. The fire spread from Sawyer Furniture to a nearby shoe store and an unoccupied business building.

This is a heavy blow to the Prichard community. A longtime Prichard business, Sawyer Furniture, burned to ashes in a massive blaze. Prichard officials said at 6 p.m. Wednesday night, heavy smoke was rising above Sawyer Furniture.

"The fire wasn't actually that big when we called. By the time the fire department came, it had gotten out of hand," said business owner Leonard McCants as he watched the blaze destroy his store.

There were no injuries and the cause of the massive blaze is unknown. Numerous fire engines from Prichard and Mobile responded to the fire.

This is not just the loss of a business, it's the loss of a local landmark.

"I've done business with Sawyer over the years, so this is a tragic moment for Prichard," resident James Jackson said.

The business had been in Prichard for decades.

The business owner is shaken up, but thankful everyone is safe. He said he has insurance but does not know at this time if he will rebuild his business here. He said he needs some time to think about what to do next.