Fire guts well-known store

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The Exxon Handy-Pak No. 1 at the corner of Nanceford and Barkley Bridge Roads, one of Hartselle oldest convenience stores, was destroyed by fire Sunday morning.
Hartselle Fire Department responded to the scene with two engine companies, a ladder truck and 10 firefighters at approximately 3:45 a.m. They departed at 6:30 a.m.
"The fire started in the front part of the building and had already vented through two windows and the entrance door when we arrived," Fire Chief Steve Shelton said. "The fire activated the store's burglar alarm system and the policemen on patrol alerted us when they found that a fire was in progress. We had an engine company on the scene in about four minutes."
Although the fire never broke through the building's roof, the heat from it destroyed the store's contents and caused major damage to the interior.
"Cakes in the back part of the building were burned to a crisp," said Jim Slate, who has operated the store for the past 10 years.
Slate said he left the store at 9:30 p.m., a half-hour before an employee closed it for the night.
Shelton said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"We conducted our own investigation after the fire was extinguished but I am not at liberty to discuss the findings at this point," Shelton said. "An insurance company is expected to have an adjuster take a look today. "Whether or not they decide to bring in their own investigator is their call. The results of our investigation is available to the insurance company."
Slate said the store's contents and the building are covered by insurance.
"No decision has been made yet, but I think Holmes Oil Co. of Vinemont-the owner of the property-will rebuild," Slate said. "This is a good location for a convenience store. I'd like to see a new building relocated on the lot to face the corner of Nanceford and Barkley. This would provide a lot more parking and make access easier for customers."
A store has operated at the location for more than 50 years and was owned and operated by the Hampton family for more than 30 years.
I.D. Hampton bought the business for his son, the late Everett "E.O." Hampton in 1960. He was owner and operator for 30 years. His son, Mark, operated the business for about a year, from 1991 to 1992, after which the property was sold to Holmes Oil Company.