Fire Destroys C & V Quickmart
Firefighters Battle Flames & Freezing Temps

Firefighters battle a major blaze that destroyed the C & V Quick Mart located at the intersection of Fry Gap and Brashier's Chapel Roads early Monday morning. Arab Today photos by Dwight Hayes

January 11, 2010
An early morning blaze destroyed an Arab business Monday morning. Firefighters were called to the C & V Quick Mart located at the intersection of Brashier's Chapel and Fry Gap Roads around 1:40 a.m. Craig Head, who called the fire into 911, told police and firefighters that he was walking past the business when he smelled smoke and saw flames inside the building. Arab Police sgt. Seth Sullivan, first on the scene, said flames were breaking through the roof near the electrical service meter when he arrived.

Firefighters battled the blaze for more than three hours in bitter cold temps that hovered between 15 and 20 degrees. Firefighters were hampered by the freezing temps as water runoff from the firefighting efforts quickly froze causing slippery pavement and equipment. Brashiers Chapel Road was totally covered by ice and was barricaded by the Arab Street Department and will remain closed from Fry Gap Road to Arad Thompson Road until the ice is cleared.

The business, owned by Chris and Virginia Sears of near Cullman, has been for sale for several months. No one was in the business at the time of the fire. The fire is being investigated by the Arab Fire Department. Since the fire involved a commercial building State Fire Marshals will also be called in to assist with the investigation.

Fire units from Arab and 4-C Volunteer Fire departments responded to the blaze. Firefighters wrapped up operations around 4:30 a.m. but one engine remained on the scene to monitor the scene. Arab Police assisted with traffic control. Arab Electric Co-operative personnel responded to cut the electrical power to the building