Update, Feb. 7: Nikki Rogers Glynn has organized a GoFundMe page to assist Alachua County Feed and Seed and its employees. As of Monday, the campaign has raised over $7,000 of its $25,000 goal.
Original story, Feb. 3: A fire began early Thursday morning at the Alachua County Feed and Seed store in northwest Gainesville, causing widespread damage to the building and rerouting morning traffic but injuring no people.
Gainesville Fire Rescue received a call shortly after 7 a.m. about the blaze at the building at 2316 NW 6th St., according to Adam Hinton, district chief and incident commander. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“We found flames showing from the roof of the structure when we got here,” Hinton said.
Store owner Steve Rogers said he was at Wawa getting a cup of coffee when the fire department called, asking where he was.
Rogers said he has no idea what caused the fire.
At around 10:18 a.m., Hinton said they were in the overhaul phase, removing tin from the building and hitting remaining fire hotspots.
He said the fire almost extended to a two-story building south of the business, but they were able to douse it in time.
Store customers commenting on Facebook were worried about cats who hung around the business, but fire officials couldn't say whether they were injured in the blaze. Steve’s daughter, Nikki Rogers Glynn, said one cat named "RC" was found.
The feed business has been on its grounds since 1985, and Rogers bought the business in 2005. Rogers and his wife said they are unsure what their next steps will be.
“I think it’s a landmark of sorts,” he said. “We’ve just been here a long time.”
The couple said multiple loyal customers have reached out, and they are appreciative of the support.
“It’s very heartfelt,” Nikki Rogers Glynn said.
https://twitter.com/brycebrownnn/status/1489267424289566726