We awoke early Sunday morning to the horrifying news that our small town was fighting a blazing fire in one of the very old business buildings, with imminent spread to other structures threatening. Before the morning horror gave way to acceptance, we would learn that one man had lost his life.
Frightening news
So many things come to mind when such frightening news hits. There is worry of potential injuries of firefighters, and the fact that all of these connected buildings are well over 100 years old, with small apartments where people were surely sleeping.
My husband made his way to the village market to donate toward food and drinks for the firefighters who were pressed into service before the rest of us woke up and would likely remain on scene much of the day. It is there that he learned one man lost his life in an upstairs apartment. The man’s dog and constant companion was found outside.
My first thought was that the light rain and stillness was, at least, favorable for those fighting the fire. Friday’s high winds, strong enough to have knocked out power to thousands in this area, would surely have changed everything as flames shot skyward.
Volunteers
Our rural communities rely on volunteers who serve while holding down other demanding jobs, and the turnout from our Jeromesville Fire Department to save our town was strengthened by all surrounding volunteer fire departments, a total of 12 departments on the scene.
Firefighters launched an aggressive attack as flames shot out upstairs windows, in hopes of containing destruction. People quietly gathered, watching and praying for our town.
Fire
Though still under investigation, the large structure fire appears to have started in the building where a tenant perished and ended up blazing through an extension to the J-Ville Pub & Grill, a gathering place for area farmers at lunchtime, and people of all ages around the clock. It sustained heavy damage, with the upstairs taking the worst brunt of destruction.
Standing tall on the square and threatened by the growing flames was the building most who have lived here for a very long time still refer to as Bodager’s Hardware, though it is now Remaley Auctioneers. Firefighters were able to limit damage to its northeast corner. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital for treatment and later released.
Landmarks
Like in other villages, these large, old buildings are a part of what defines our town and makes it unique. Life stories revolve around village landmarks for people who have grown up in small town America. These gathering places are touchstones to generations.
This tragic fire and death of one of our own serves as a reminder that life, and the walls that hold us for a time, can change in the blink of an eye.
