BELLEVILLE, Pa. --
Nearly 55 years of local history was reduced to rubble early Thursday morning, following a fire that destroyed A J Peachey near Belleville.
Fire investigators say the Peachey familys building, which housed a meat shop, country market, restaurant, ice cream stand, craft store, deli and several offices, is a total loss.
More than 100 firefighters from five counties, including Mifflin, Centre and Huntingdon, received the second-alarm call shortly after 12:30 a.m.
Reedsville Fire Chief Dan Ielaumiller told WJAC-TV Thursday that he spotted a glow in the sky three miles away when responding to the call.
"It was a pretty good battle for about the first three and a half hours, said Ielaumiller. We got a handle on it and got it under control. We got a track hoe in to start digging and getting the roof, because it had fallen on top of everything."
Glenn Peachey heard blaring sirens nearby and witnessed the fire quickly spread through the building.
"It was all engulfed already, said Peachey. It was pretty much an inferno. It went fast and it went hot."
Neighbors said the Mennonite familys sausage from the meat market attracted customers from all over the region.
"They're devastated, they just can't believe it, said Dee Peachey. They came out from Huntingdon, Lancaster. They were heading to York, they had no idea."
Bonnie Albright was brought to tears when she saw the rubble smoldering Thursday morning, she and her husband Ivan drove to the store from Williamsburg to pick up meat.
"We ate at the restaurant; we shopped at their little grocery store, said Albright. The people are wonderful here. My hearts just broke for them. I just hope the best for them. I hope they can get it back because it was a nice place to stop."
The Peachey family said it was too early to tell if they will rebuild.
Nearly 90 employees are now out of a job.
The fire marshal told WJAC-TV the blaze is still under investigation but believes the fire may have been sparked by an electrical problem.
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