A blaze decimated two historic buildings in the heart of Bisbee's downtown area yesterday night, causing Main Street to be shut down, with officials still assessing the full extent of the damage this morning.
The fire, which reportedly broke out close to 9:15 p.m. as per 12News, centered around two businesses - Many Fine Things and Bisbee Olive Oil - both said to be housed in structures that have stood since 1904, now a pile of debris, city officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire that has left a significant mark on the city's storied streets.
Amid efforts to stymie the overnight inferno, Main Street remains closed with no clear indication from the City of Bisbee as to when it might reopen and while no injuries have been reported, the unexpected disaster has tossed both commerce and historical preservation into disarray.
Councilwoman Anna Cline provided a glimmer of insight to Az Family with the remark, "Still too early to tell what damage has been done. Like we know two are gone. The other one, we’re just not real sure. And the shop owner was here for a while, and they don’t even know," highlighting the prevailing uncertainty and the emotional toll on those affected.
Gratitude for the emergency response has been publicly expressed by the town's Facebook page, stating, "Thank you to Bisbee Police, Fire and Public Works, Douglas Fire, Sunnyside Fire, San Jose Fire, Naco Fire, Palominas Fire, Cochise County Sheriff, DPS, Arizona Rangers, SEACOM, and any agency we may not have listed here," as reported by Az Family. This signals a robust collective effort in the face of adversity, demonstrating the close-knit spirit of this small Arizona town even as it confronts the charred remains of its heritage.
