Updated Friday, May 17 at 3:10 p.m.: The fire at the Wilson building on Greencastle's town square was put out earlier this afternoon after around 25 fire crews from around the state fought the flames this morning.
The fire in the Wilson building that houses a pawn shop and an apartment above at the corner of East Washington Street and South Vine Street began around 7 a.m. this morning. Greencastle chief police officer Tom Sutherlin said the fire originated on the back deck of the apartment's patio. The flames spread to the neighboring buildings. Everyone in the building was evacuated and no injuries have been reported.
Sutherlin said fire rescue teams came from as far as Plainfield, Brazil and Crawfordsville, Ind. to assist the Greencastle Fire Department in battling the flames.
Levels of the building's interior collapsed causing the fire to spread, according to Sutherlin.
After the flames died and the smoke dissipated the effects of the fire revealed themselves. The row of buildings now stands charred from the inside out.
Mayor Sue Murray coughed as she stood watching the smoke rise up over the city around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
"This is devastating," Murray said. "It's a sad day."
The pawn shop was one of two buildings set to undergo construction this summer to create a new facade. The construction as part of the Stellar Communities Grant will be postponed, Murray said.
Greencastle resident Bonnie Hanlon, 46, looked on as firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames.
"I talked one of the firefighters and he said it just ignited so quickly that by the time he got here it was out of control," Hanlon said.
Portions of Washington Street have been evacuated temporarily and nearby shops and businesses shut down due to smoke damage.
Greencastle resident Don Bowldy,76, said the fire created a great inconvenience as he will be unable to carry out his normal schedule.
"We go into Starbucks every morning, read the newspapers, and play cribbage until who knows when," Bowldy said. "And now I don't know where the hell I'm going to drink coffee and play cribbage. We haven't played any cards today."
Hanlon said she has been encouraged by the community's response to the blaze.
"I'm amazed at all of the town people that are so concerned," Hanlon said. "I was at the gas station this morning and an old lady was crying. She was like, 'I can remember going there when I was little.' This is the heart of our town."