An historic barn that’s home to a candle store has gone
up in flames in Washingtonville.
Flames broke out overnight at the Corner Candle Store on
Depot Street and quickly went to two alarms.
Firefighters were able to put the flames out but the
second floor looks gutted and the first floor has water damage.
The building is 175 years old and was originally a
cooperage - that made buckets and barrels in the late 1800s.
It’s been a candle store and specialty gift shop for the
past 45 years.
The owners say the fire, just before their busy Christmas
season, couldn’t have come at a worse time. “It’s terrible for the community
because we’ve been here for so long and a lot of people rely on us for their
Christmas season and it’s just not gonna happen this year. It’s sad,” says
owner Richard Broderick.
The owners believe an electrical problem may have caused
the fire.
They were planning on retiring in a few months, and had a
buyer lined up for the building, so they’re hoping the building can be
salvaged.
Thankfully, no one was hurt.