Fire has struck the beleaguered community of St. Johnsbury. Last night (Thursday, July 9th) fire broke out around 10 o'clock in a building on Main Street that housed Kennedy's Jewelery Store and The Convenient One. Although the fire department is just yards away, apparently there was little fire fighters could do to prevent the fire from spreading from one location to another along Main Street. The blaze was not fully contained until almost noon today. Four fire fighters were injured, but fortunately not too seriously, and there were no others hurt. WCAX reported 18 area fire departments were on hand to battle the six alarm fire.

St. Johnsbury has seen more than its fair share of devastating fires. In December of 2003, Railroad Street suffered a disasterous fire, and two people died. Another fire in 2005 destroyed the Dean Hale building on Main Street, not far from this latest fire that has wiped out four buildings. Reports are this fire started in an apartment over The Convenient One and spread to three more buildings before it was brought under control. Nine families lived in apartments over the stores in these buildings, and a total of 20 people are now homeless, in temporary housing.

I spoke with our son, Jamie, late this afternoon and he said he attended the "Two O'clock Meeting" - a gathering at North Church where officials and members of the community came together to make decisions and rally support in view of the huge loss now facing St. Johnsbury. Jamie said his offer of KATV's facilities to issue notices and news bulletins was gratefully accepted.

The 20 people who escaped the fire last night will not only need permanent housing, but will need clothing and furnishings, as well. The demands on the community will be great, but St. Johnsbury has rallied in the past and I'm sure they will deal with this newest blow.