Flames that raced through a building at Market of Marion on Monday night caused about $300,000 damage to the popular Belleview flea market.
Crews from Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the blaze at 7:10 p.m. after a 911 caller reported heavy smoke and flames showing from Aisle C South. Firefighters from Spruce Creek Station 30 arrived two minutes later and reported a working fire, a report says.
A second alarm was called out, which brought 11 additional units from Belleview Station 18, Villages of Marion Station 10, Weirsdale Station 27, Shady Station 16, Anthony Station 1, Operations Station 33 and Marion Oaks Station 24. Seven command officers also were deployed to the scene, including Fire Chief James Banta and Division Chief Robert Graff.
The fire scene was separated into two divisions as firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the blaze. They were able to stop the flames from advancing into the other areas of the marketplace.
The fire was called under control at 8:19 p.m. Seventeen units and 53 firefighters battled the blaze, with 30,000 gallons of water needed to extinguish the flames.
The 9,600-square-foot section of the market was destroyed. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Market of Marion is located at 12888 SE U.S. Hwy. 441 in Belleview. It’s typically open Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am. to 4 p.m. Call (352) 245-6766 for more information about the market’s plans for this coming weekend.
