By all accounts, Greenville narrowly missed a catastrophic fire. According to Chief Aders, 8 fire departments responded to the fire that destroyed Lynn’s Deli and Café. All six Muhlenberg County fire departments were called out but it was the two huge aerial ladder trucks from Owensboro and Madisonville that saved the day. Madisonville Chief Steve Stoltz said that without the two big trucks the fire would have been much worse. “You have to get water above the fire to contain it” he said. Tom Stovall said that the fire was out of control when the Owensboro truck arrived. “The fire was about to spread to other buildings. If that had happened, most of Greenville’s downtown could have been destroyed. Those two big trucks saved us” he said. Chief Stoltz said that this is the first time Madisonville’s aerial ladder truck has been out of Madisonville since the Earlington Apartment Fire about 12 years ago. The truck is 22 years old and was delivered to Madisonville in 1987. The truck has a 102’ ladder. “We have a new one ordered” Stoltz said “It has a 77’ ladder and will supplement the larger truck.”

 

The destroyed building is across from the court house and has been a landmark in the Western Kentucky community for many years. It has had several businesses over the years including a pharmacy and a Radio Shack. But Lynn’s Café was the current occupant and had been open for about six months. 

 

The next door business, A Cut Above, owned by Tom and Nancy Stovall was also destroyed but they were able to recover some supplies and very wet records. “We had just finished renovating the shop a month ago and we had things just the way we wanted them.” Nancy said “Men plan and God laughs” she added. Tom Stovall who was the shop’s only employee said that he was insured and would be looking for another location. He was trying to save the sign on the front of the building but didn’t have the right socket to take it down. Stovall is also a pastor. 

 

Stovall said the restaurant appeared to be very successful and had a large lunch crowd every day and had expanded to being open later. He said Greenville has been working to improve its downtown with a paint the town program and removing light poles and wires. Stovall said that Governor Beshear had just awarded a $600,000 grant to put overhead wires underground. As he watched heavy equipment rip smoldering debris from the front of the burning building, Stovall commented that the awning on the front of the café had been a point of discussion in the downtown renovation. “Some wanted it removed for esthetics; but, others said the awning provided protection during rain. That discussion is now over.”

 

The Mid-West Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross was on the scene providing site support for the responders. Executive Director, Jeanie Barnett, said that they were rolling within an hour of the call from Madisonville. Mitzy Geary, who manages the Muhlenberg Red Cross, said she got the call at 1:07 a.m. and were able to set up very quickly because the fire was directly across the street from the Red Cross office. Muhlenberg County’s Disaster Trailer and the Emergency Response Vehicle responded to the fire. 

   
     Left Photo: Madisonville Fire Chief  Steve Stoltz on the scene early this morning. Right photo: Red Cross Volunteer Waymon Jones and  Muhlenberg Branch Office Manager Mitzi Geary.

   

 

Other agencies included Greenville Police and Muhlenberg Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky Utilities, Greenville Utility Dept. also responded. The fire started at 11:00 p.m. was still smoldering with hot spots at 4:15 a.m. On this 9-11 in Greenville, there were no injuries. 

 

Ron Sanders Red Cross Volunteer and iSurf News onscene at 3:00am this morning to assist with Red Cross fire support efforts.

 

Photos by iSurf News On Scene 3:15am, Ron Sanders Photographer.