106-Yr. Old Store Burns in Oklahoma: Videos

Russell Jones, Reporter
5 News KFSM

SALLISAW, Okla. - A family-owned furniture store in downtown Sallisaw has been destroyed in what authorities say was likely an electrical fire.

"They think the fire started in the back, around where the circuit breaker would be," said Police Chief Shaloah Edwards Tuesday evening.

Emergency crews were called to the Farmer's Furniture Company around 3 p.m. Tuesday, when an employee who was also a firefighter noticed smoke coming from the back of the store.

"They called the fire department, and tried to find where it was all coming from... but by that time it had gotten too thick, and the fire moved toward the front of the store," said Edwards.

Around eight different departments from around Oklahoma responded, as well as a station from Fort Smith; they spent most of the afternoon and evening keeping the fire contained to the furniture store's building. The 106-year-old building partially in the front, and several streets were blocked off while crews got the fire under control. No one was injured in the fire, though one firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion.

Dozens of onlookers gathered near the county courthouse to watch firefighters' efforts. Tom Mitchell, a customer at Farmer's, said much of the city and surrounding area had bought their furniture and appliances from the destroyed store.

"They could beat anyone's price around," he said, "because they cared about taking care of their customers. If you didn't have the money to buy furniture, you could pay it out; lots of young people done that."

Mitchell also said the store was a big contributor to local organizations, despite the slowing economy.

"I've worked with the local hospice for 14 years, and every time I came around Farmer's raising money, out came the checkbook," he said.

This wasn't the first time the Farmers were struck with tragedy; customers say just several weeks before the fire, the owner's wife died from cancer.

"It's a real tough loss for the whole community," said Chief Edwards.
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