Middletown Hardester’s Market burns; roads near fire remain closed
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A well-known Middletown store caught fire on Monday afternoon and was continuing to burn by early evening as authorities closed roadways around the site.
The Middletown Hardester’s Market and Hardware, located at 21088 Calistoga Road, was first reported on fire at about 2:20 p.m. in the compressor room in the rear of the building, according to radio reports.
“The fire is still going,” Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News just before 5 p.m. “They haven’t started the investigation yet.”
He confirmed that the fire started somewhere in the back of the building.
The fire injured one firefighter and a California Highway Patrol officer, Martin said.
Martin said the CHP officer received minor burns while helping to rescue the injured firefighter.
He said the firefighter was flown out, and was reported to have second- and third-degree burns.
“All the employees are accounted for,” said Martin.
The sheriff said there were no reports of anyone in the building, but that authorities would still need to go through the structure to make sure there are no casualties.
Highway 29 in front of the building is expected to be closed for several hours; Martin didn’t have an estimated time of reopening.
Martin said county roads behind the building also will be closed for a day or so while cleanup takes place.
A number of community members captured images and video of the fire, including Oly Mendoza, whose video is embedded below with permission.
Additional information on the incident will be published as it becomes available.
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