Florida Hardware Store Destroyed by Fire

Firefighters said a hardware store just west of Middleburg is a total loss after an early-morning fire. The fire at Ace C & L Hardware on County Road 218 was reported at 2:40 a.m. Monday, with officials saying it was brought under control at 5:20 a.m. "There's a large load of combustibles in there and we also had some live ammunition, so that was a concern for a time," Clay County Fire Department spokeswoman Bernita Bush said. The Clay County Fire Department's hazardous materials team responded because some chemicals and materials inside could have produced dangerous fumes, but testing has found no problems with the air quality in the area. One firefighter was treated on scene for heat exhaustion, but did not require hospitalization. State Fire Marshal's Detective Robbie Stevens said, "The fire started in the rear of the building, but the cause of the blaze is undetermined, and we are unable to rule out electrical causes, due to the extent of the burn time before discovery." Multiple stations responded to the fire, along with assistance from Jacksonville Fire Rescue. The building and contents, estimated to exceed $1 million, is considered a complete loss. State Road 218 was reopened to traffic about 7 a.m., although residents or parents taking their children to the Kid's World Child Care Center next door were allowed through the area earlier.