A devastating fire engulfed the Hagan Ace Hardware on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park, Florida, leading to a considerable emergency response and the hospitalization of one firefighter. The conflagration began shortly before the store's closing time on Friday, and within minutes it fully consumed the building, which serves as the chain's headquarters for 11 regional stores, First Coast News reported.
Blanding Boulevard was shut down in both directions following the fire, which required the assistance of firefighters not only from Clay County Fire Rescue but also from Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, Orange Park Fire Department, and personnel from NAS Jax; the road closure persisted overnight as fire crews had to run multiple hoses across the thoroughfare, News4JAX highlighted, stating officials' uncertainty about when the thoroughfare would be reopened.
The hardware store, familiar to the community and owned by the closely-knit Hagan family, drew expressions of solidarity from locals, and despite the blaze, spokesperson Tara Lageman affirmed the intent to rebuild, expressing gratitude that everyone inside the hardware at the time of the incident was able to escape unharmed, as per First Coast News.
The firefighter, whose condition was not initially reported, is now said to be in good condition according to an update provided by Action News Jax; meanwhile, the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire that is believed to have begun in the store's back warehouse area and posed significant challenges due to the potential of chemical, fertilizer, and propane explosions.
Employees at Hagan Ace Hardware noticed the smell of smoke emanating from the back storage area approximately 15 minutes before the store's closing, prompting an evacuation after the realization that the situation was beyond the help of a fire extinguisher, "This is a family-owned store, and the family is well known in our community. Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with the Hagan family at this time," Clay County Fire Rescue commented to Action News Jax, with the location expected to remain closed for an extended recovery period.
