Heppner gazette-times., May 05, 1983, Page FIVE, Image 5

Thi ll-pinrr (lavlle-Tlme. Urppner, Oregon, Thursday, May i, I9H.I FIVK
eppn(BF5 several buildliiags destrcoyed.
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Fire swept through downtown Heppner early
Wednesday morning, totally destroying the post
office, S&J Market and a small gift shop. The Shoe
Box also received heavy damage, and water
damage was reported in several other businesses.
The fire started in a small gift shop located next to
the post office at around 2:30 a.m. Firemen
responded quickly, but the blaze got out of control
and crept into adjoining buildings. Cause of the
fire is unknown. Only minor injuries were
reported. The blaze was finally contained around
6 a.m. The Hermiston fire department was called
in for assistance at 3 a.m. and arrived on the scene
about 4:35 a.m. Townspeople worked to save
merchandice from three stores and an insurance
office when it became apparent the blaze was
spreading fast. At one point heat popped windows
and flames shot 20 to 30 feet in the air. Black
smoke billowed from the buildings and filled main
street. The post office was totally destroyed, and it
was reported that mail boxes inside melted to the
ground. The front of S&j Market crashed to the
sidewalk. An army of volunteers loaded pickup
trucks with merchandise from stores to save it from
the blaze. The Heppner fire department fought
the fire from main street, and when Hermiston FD
arrived it covered the fire with water from the
alley behind.
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