Coffeeville Business Destroyed
Denley’s One-Stop on Oklahoma Street in Coffeeville was destroyed by a Wednesday morning fire. Owner David Hall was able to get out of the building unharmed. Hall said that the business had been in the family for about 60 years. Fire units from Tillatoba and Velma were called to assist the Coffeeville Fire Department. – Photo by Jack Gurner
Reporter
COFFEEVILLE – A general county fire alarm was issued last Wednesday morning, as firefighters were called to respond to a burning Coffeeville business.
Denley’s One Stop, located on Oklahoma Street, caught fire mid-morning last Wednesday. The family business had been in operation at this location for almost six decades, according to owner David Hall.
Hall was at the building when the fire started and was able to get out safely. The building most recently was a convenience store on the north side and a liquor store on the south end, was gutted by the fire.
Around a dozen firefighters worked for more than two hours to extinguish the blaze, as flames danced dangerously close to several large, above ground gas tanks. There were also a couple of gas pumps near the blaze.
The Coffeeville Fire Department was the first to arrive, as Police Chief Mark Martin drove the fire truck to the scene. Caleb Horton, a Skuna Valley fire fighter who lives in Coffeeville, was also one of the first responders who began to fight the blaze, according to County Fire Investigator Cecil Harrison.
The first chief on the scene was Velma volunteer Herby Rogers, who took command of the effort. Coffeeville Fire Chief Mack Burns, who also serves as mayor, also worked at the scene arriving later in the morning.
Officers with the Coffeeville Police Department and the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s department assisted, blocking traffic during the fire.
The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office, a routine procedure according to county fire investigator Cecil Harrison.
