SUMMARY OF EVENTS
From The Associated Press
MILTON, W.Va. (AP) - A fire has destroyed the Milton Flea Market, a loss that is expected to have a major economic impact on the Cabell County town.
The fast-spreading blaze at the U-shaped wood and metal structure was reported around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Most of the building collapsed and assistant Milton Fire Chief Steve Vititoe says ammunition in one of the booths went off.
No injuries were reported. The flea market is only open on weekends.
Every Cabell County fire department, along with some from neighboring counties, responded. One fire truck received significant damage while fighting the fire.
The venue opened in 1989 and grew to become one of the region's largest flea markets. More than 300 vendors sold antiques, collectibles, crafts and jewelry there.
Milton Mayor Betty Sargent estimates the market drew about 10,000 visitors each weekend.
Nina Roberts of Barboursville ran a candle shop there and lost up to $30,000 worth of inventory. She says she wasn't insured.
The cause of the fire hasn't been determined.
(scroll down for coverage as-it-happened)
UPDATE @ 5:40pm
Milton Flea Market owner Boyd Meadows spoke with WSAZ.com's Michael Wooten Wednesday afternoon. Meadows says he will rebuild the flea market on this site once the investigation and clean-up are finished.
UPDATE @ 3:26pm
We have learned that two sections of the flea market were not destroyed by fire. They were not attached to the main building. Click on the map to the right to see a larger view of the sections saved & destroyed. The saved sections are colored blue, and the sections consumed by fire are in red.
UPDATE @ 1:28pm
WSAZ.com's Dave Benton is also at the scene. He says the Milton Flea Market's construction was similar to a chimney laying in its side--and the fire just shot through it, destroying everything in its path. The building had wooden beams holding the roof up, and when those caught fire, they collapsed.
Dave says about 100 people are gathered near the scene. He says people are crying, and the scene is very emotional. A lot of people had a lot of time and money invested in market.
Tell us your stories and memories of the Milton Flea Market. Fill out our comment form below.
UPDATE @ 12:51pm
The Milton Flea Market is now reportedly destroyed by fire.
Milton's assistant fire chief, Steve Vititoe, tells WSAZ.com's Bill Murray that there are no injuries so far. He says the call first came in at 11:03 a.m. as a vehicle fire, but they haven't been able to find a vehicle. The fire started in the northeast part of the market.
Vititoe says every fire department in Cabell County is at the scene, including the City of Huntington. Crews from Putnam and Mason counties are also at the fire scene.
Route 60 is closed in both directions near the market. I-64 remains open at this time, but officials from the DEP are monitoring the air and smoke in the area to see if it needs to be closed.
Vititoe says there is no danger to people near the market, but everyone should keep away from the area.
He confirms that ammunition was going off in one of the booths in the southwest corner of the flea market.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
UPDATE @ 12:39pm
The smoke is being picked up by our 3D Doppler radar. (click on the thumbnail to see a larger image)
UPDATE @ 12:17pm
Cabell County's EMS director tells WSAZ that nobody was at the flea market when the fire started. The market is closed during the week.
ORIGINAL STORY @ 11:24am
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Firefighters are battling a large fire at the Milton Flea Market.
The fire was reported about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Almost all of the fire departments from across Cabell County have been called to the scene, and units are responding from Putnam County.
Route 60 is closed in the area of the flea market. So far, no injuries have been reported.
We have a crew at the scene.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
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