EAGLEVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — After a fire forced the only grocery store in Eagleville to close, city leaders and residents are rallying around the business to help it reopen.
Multiple area fire departments were called to the Four Corners Grocery and Deli Sunday around 9:30 p.m. When they arrived, smoke and flames were visible from the store. Crews worked quickly to contain the fire, but the damage inside the business was extensive. It is closed until further notice.
The business is an Eagleville landmark that is a gas station, grocery store and restaurant rolled into one.
"It's definitely a place where you don’t just buy food," said Dayton Hendrix, an Eagleville resident. "It’s a place where you build relationships and stuff, and you meet a lot of good people."
Four Corners Grocery and Deli is also a place Eagleville residents rely on for groceries. Now that the store is closed, people will have to drive 20 minutes or more just to get basic necessities.
Eagleville Mayor Chad Leeman and people from across the city said they are ready to help the business get up and running again.
"Everyone is going to roll up their sleeves," said Mayor Leeman. "I’ve had calls from state representatives, state senators and everybody else wanting to know how they can help."
Leeman said he wants to work with the business to help them find ways to still make money, and keep their employees working. At this point, it is unknown how long the store will be closed.
"We're like a big family here," said Mayor Leeman. "When one person goes down, people rally to get involved any way they can."
Initial findings indicated rags that were soaked in cooking oil started the fire. The rags were improperly discarded and when the cooking-oil began to oxidize, the material is prone to a spontaneous heating phenomenon. However, the Eagleville Fire Chief says the investigation is still ongoing.
No one was hurt in the fire.
