Firefighters battle Love Inc. Blaze
Fire marshal decline comment as cause remains unclear
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EVERETT -- A fire destroyed Love Inc.'s Seek and Find Shop in Everett Wednesday.
Dispatchers received the call at 1:10 p.m., resulting in response from Raystown Ambulance and nine fire companies including Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department.
According to Everett Fire Chief Jim Stone, the building is likely "totaled," though no one was injured in the blaze.
Stone added that the cause of the fire remains unclear as the fire marshal investigates. The fire marshal declined to comment.
Love Inc. Executive Director Bev Patten said she doesn't know exactly what the next steps are in recovering from the loss, but she anticipates ample support from the community.
"I just look to our community," she said. "They are very generous, and I'm sure they will help us in whatever our plan is."
The store, next to Love Inc.'s main building, sold donated items like clothing and furniture, with the proceeds going to locals in need.
Ginger Morgret, the store manager, echoed Patten's sentiment about the community, and said the people of Everett will be there to support the ministry amid the loss.
"I have no doubt that they will," she said of the community banding together in support. "All of Love Inc. is blessed by God. Everything we have is a blessing from God and there's no doubt in my mind that (the building) will come back bigger and better and be more of a blessing to the community than it was before."
Morgret also spoke to the store's presence in the community.
"I think it's an important part of the community," she said. "I just got done talking to an elderly lady who stops in (the store) every day and she said, 'it's like my second home;' She's really upset."
Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.