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Last updated on Monday, June 26, 2017
(BLOOMINGTON) - A family flooring business went up in flames Saturday morning in the 2900 block of West Third Street in Bloomington.
Bloomington Fire Department was called to Bounds and McPike Flooring at 5:07 a.m. after a passerby noticed smoke coming out of the building next to AMC Showplace Bloomington 12.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within three minutes, according to Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore. Additional firefighters arrived within minutes.
Flames were shooting through the roof when they arrived and for safety reasons firefighters couldn't enter the building. They went on a defensive attack.
Ellettsville Fire Department responded to the scene with their aerial truck along with firefighters from Perry Clear Creek and Van Buren Fire Department.
Bloomington Police and Street Department employees were on the scene helping to block off streets around the business and warn area residents.
Families were told to be dressed and ready to evacuate the area. They were told to close their windows and turn off their air conditioners so that toxic fumes would not enter their homes. Smoke from carpeting is extremely toxic, Moore says.
Heavy equipment was called in to knock down the last remaining walls as the last remnants went up in smoke.
The fire was completely out by early afternoon.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The business is owned by Brad and Stephanie Bounds and been in the family for more than 30 years. They employee 15 full-time employees and contract work out. Bounds says he will rebuild.
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