A Silvis, Illinois hardware store and lumber yard that was on fire for several hours was open for business the next day.
The fire at Anchor Lumber, located on 1st Avenue near 15th Street, reportedly started around 3:30 p.m. Monday, August , 2015. Heavy smoke and flames could be seen through the roof of the lawn and garden center located on the southwest corner of the building.
More and more fire departments showed up to help battle the fire, including Silvis, Hampton, Carbon Cliff, East Moline and Moline. At 6:45 p.m. firefighters were still on scene and according to the Silvis Fire Chief, the fight had become "defensive" as crews worked to keep it from spreading any further.
Officials on scene have encouraged onlookers to leave the area because of what toxic materials may be burning in that smoke.
As it grew later into the day, concerns were growing that firefighters would run out of water, and they were asking for water from other departments.
Firefighters were able to finally stop spraying water on the fire around 10 p.m. The store opened up for business on Tuesday.
As firefighters battled the blaze Monday, the direction of the wind was causing the smoke and flames to blow toward the remainder of the building. Smoke had blown miles from the structure, and News 8 viewers sent photos from various roadways around the area, one even saying he could see the smoke from the I-74 Bridge.
An employee who said he was inside the building when the fire started said he didn't know the building was on fire and didn't even smell smoke.
"When we walked out the door we didn't even smell it," said the employee, "and we turned around and looked up and the whole thing was already on fire. The wind blowing and its hot out, it just went up in flames."
Streets surrounding the burning building have been closed to traffic. Initially a portion of 1st Avenue was blocked off into the downtown.
There have been no reports of injuries. The fire chief says the southwest side of the building is a total loss, but the east portion is salvageable.
Employees say Anchor Lumber has been around for more than 50 years.
