PRINCETON – More than a dozen fire departments from Johnston and Wayne counties battled a massive fire tonight (Wednesday) at the former Gurley Antique Mall building on Pine Street in Downtown Princeton. The historic structure, the old Gurley Mill, was originally built in 1914. It was completely destroyed.
Intense flames illuminated the sky in Princeton after most of the town’s 1400 residents lost power a short time after the blaze was reported.
Several adjacent homes sustained damage from the intense heat. The vinyl siding melted off the front of one residence.
Fire crews are expected to remain on the scene overnight. There was no immediate report of any injuries.
The Johnston County Fire Marshal’s Office has responded to the scene to investigate the cause.
A section of Highway 70 was closed for about two hours while fire department tanker trucks shuttled additional water to the scene. The NC Department of Transportation, Princeton Police Department and Johnston County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control.
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This story has been updated
