.jpg)
Feb. 4, 1981
HARTINGTON — Fire Departments from several area communities responded to a massive blaze in downtown Hartington Sunday.
Area firemen were summoned about 10 a.m. Sunday to assist the Hartington Fire Department at a fire in the Gambles store at Hartington.
Wynot and firemen from Laurel were also called to the scene. Fire Chief Duane Brummer, who was the owner of the store, said Terry Jueden, a resident of one of the apartments above the store, called him about 9:45 a.m. to report smoke.
Flames then consumed the entire half-block building and threatened the Art Center Studio, which was located north of the store. Firemen and a firewall between the two stores prevented flames from reaching the studio, although smoke and water damaged the interior of the building.
The owners carried the studio equipment across the street to the Broadway Lanes bowling alley. The occupants of the three apartments above the Gambles Store got safely out but lost all of their personal belongings. The fire was also prevented in spreading to the Carhart Lumber Yard located east of the structure. Nothing remained of the building by the time it was under control about 4 p.m.
It was reported some homes in the area and the old Knights of Columbus Hall across the street sustained smoke damage. High winds were in the area at the time and were causing very poor visibility at the time the fire was discovered. Temperatures were barely above the zero mark causing many problems with freezing equipment and cold workers.
