Hardware store burns

MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Crews in Barry County have had a long night, and day, fighting a hardware store fire.

That fire started at Middleville Pro Hardware on Main Street Tuesday night. Eight departments responded to the fire, and more than twelve hours later, they were still at it.

The fire in the building that four businesses call home started just after 9:00 pm Tuesday, and by Wednesday afternoon, firefighters were still working.

“They were just all kind of running around, trying to figure out where the fire was actually at,” said Katie Einberger of Middleville, “banging doors down, breaking windows.”

Department after department responded to Middleville Pro Hardware and Westen's Carpet.

“Very disappointing,” said Christina Schad of Middleville, “it brings tears to your eyes.”

Audrey Van Strien was out watching the fire Tuesday night. She's one of the investors in Bill Dubois' hardware store that also had a gun repair and bike shop.

“It's sad, it's sad, it's devastating, shocking,” said Van Strien.

“The owner, he's a really nice guy so it's terrible,” said Einberger.

On Wednesday, Van Strien was already thinking beyond the fire and trying to keep the businesses in the village.

“They're all going to tell him, he's gotta rebuild,” said Van Strien. “Nobody's going to sit there and say well go to Hastings, go to Caledonia, they'll say no Bill, we want you to come back, we want you to rebuild it.”

Van Strien says she already has another building picked out to relocate those businesses, and she says the building's owner does have insurance.