BASSETT, Va. – A popular community gathering spot is gone after an early morning fire.
About 6:30 a.m. Monday, firefighters responded to Billy's Flea Market in Bassett after the owner and a driver passing by called 911.
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The fire is being blamed on electrical issues, but because the owner doesn't have insurance and didn't request an investigation no investigation will be done to determine a more specific cause.
"(The owner) said he had been having some trouble with the electrical going to the building. It seems that's going to be the cause," Bassett Volunteer Fire Chief Junior Lynch said.
The owner, Billy Shelton, lives behind the business.
He said he plans to rebuild as much as he can.
"(I) heard a big noise, like a 'boom,' and looked out through the window and saw the flame," Shelton recalled. "It's pretty sad. Yep. Pretty sad."
No one was hurt.