WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Flames Rip Through St. Albans Businesses

Flames Rip Through St. Albans Businesses

St. Albans, Vermont - November 24, 2009

One business was destroyed and two others were damaged in a fire this morning in St. Albans.

The fire was reported just before 5:00 at the Bernie Gage Plumbing and Heating Building on Stebbins Street. Firefighters from five departments battled the blaze. They could not save the plumbing and heating building, but did minimize the damage to autobody shop and carwash businesses next door.

"On our arrival we had heavy fire coming out of the southend doors and fire traveling thru the whole center of the building," said fire chief Joe Beaudry.

"It's a little disheartening right now. It really has sunk in a whole let. I'm chuckling and laughing a bit, but it really hasn't settled in yet," said owner Bernie Gage.

Gage says most of the companies tools are in his employees vans, so they are still able to serve customers. He says he'll run the business out of his home for now.

Fire officials have not pinpointed the cause of the fire. State Police investigators have been called in to investigate.