Video: Downtown Eupora Business Owners React To Fire

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EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) — Eupora residents are cleaning up after a fire destroyed several downtown businesses in their city this weekend.

Crews are still on-site containing any flare-ups.

Fire crews may still be on standby, but Eupora residents now focus on restoration and recovery.

“A fire of this magnitude, you never know when there is little coals burning and it’s going to be a flareup,” said Jimmy Forrester, Public Information Officer.

Officials say without the support of surrounding communities, the large flames would have been more difficult to contain.

“The fire departments in surrounding counties, that surround us that sent units out here last yesterday afternoon and evening and last night, the firefighters volunteer their time, they come, they stay as long as they’re needed,” Forrester said.

The fire destroyed at least three buildings and threatened several others.

James Phillips owns a local gym and says his building had smoke and water damage.

“It appears right now that we did have flooding throughout the whole building. All the interior paneling will have to be gutted because the water coming down inside the walls. A lot of the paint is gone,” Phillips said.

Gwenn Ricco’s businesses are classified as total losses. She says the years spent here hold many memories.

“I’ve been in this building probably about 15 years and next door to Ms Mary here and we’ve been dear friends for all our life and its just been a fun thing, us being in business next door to each other. And then devastation hits. You never know when you get up in the morning what’s going to happen before the day is over,” Ricco said.

Although the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, the state fire marshal will be onsite conducting an investigation.

” We feels so fortunate, we appreciate everybody that has shown concern for us and we are just so thankful no one’s been hurt,” Ricco said.

Phillips says his gym, FATCO, will be back in business on Monday with normal operation hours.