MAGNOLIA, Ark. (AP) -- Heavy equipment was brought in to clear the ruins of Lawhon Produce, a landmark in downtown Magnolia for 60 years that burned early Tuesday.
The two-story, 5,200-square-foot building two blocks west of the Columbia County Courthouse was destroyed by the blaze, but there were no injuries.
Employees working at the store late Monday told firefighters that they heard a popping sound, left the building and saw smoke coming from it, and reported the fire.
Magnolia firefighters found flames between the first and second floors and worked for almost two hours to put them out. Less than 30 minutes after the firefighters rolled up their hoses and left, a second alarm sent them back to Lawhon Produce, and this time fire had reached the second floor and attic. Eventually, it moved through the entire building.
The two-story structure was built by Magnolia businessman J.W. ''Tex'' Dickens at an estimated cost of $20,000. It opened as Magnolia's Greyhound bus terminal in August 1945, during the closing days of World War II. The bus station served a total of five bus lines and was also busy as a cafe and boarding house.
About 1970, the bus station relocated and the building took on new life as a convenience store run by the Lawhon family. Toby Longino took over the business in 1995 and added a pizzeria.
