FIRE HITS CRAFT STORE AT JACKSON; FOUR ESCAPE FROM UPSTAIRS APARTMENT

JACKSON -- A Jackson craft store and adjoining apartment were heavily damaged in a fire Sunday morning.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, said Jackson Fire Chief Gary Niswonger. The state fire marshal's office is investigating. There were no injuries.

The fire began in a stairwell in the basement of the building and spread throughout, Niswonger said. The Craft Gallery and Country Store, at 110 West Mary, was heavily damaged by fire and smoke.

One adult and three children who lived in an apartment above the store escaped unharmed. Niswonger said the family discovered the blaze at about 4:30 a.m. and went next door and called the fire department. The family does not own the business, he said.

The building is a two-story wood frame structure. About 40 firefighters from the Jackson, Gordonville and Millersville fire departments responded to the blaze.

Firefighters were on the scene until 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The chief said interior damage was heavy, and smoke had already filled the building when firefighters arrived. The contents of the building were a total loss, he said.

The chief said as far as he knows no foul play is suspected.

The building formerly housed a funeral home.