Newbern auto parts store burns

The NAPA auto parts store in Newbern burned on Tuesday night, destroying thousands of dollars worth of inventory.

Newbern NAPA store owner Gerald Tidwell, at right, watches as firefighters remove dozens of air filters from the storage section of the building.

"I'll get back," said owner Gerald Tidwell as he surveyed the fire-damaged goods firefighters were removing from the 5,000-square-foot building. "It'll just take some time."

The blaze, at 649 N. Grayson St., was reported at 7:26 p.m. by passing motorists.

Newbern fire chief Phillip Cotrell said in the immediate aftermath the cause of the fire was unknown, but started near a soft drink machine sitting against the building.

Firefighters worked in the warehouse to remove boxes from the top shelves nearest the roof to prevent the fire from again igniting. Cotrell said fire was found on a couple of boxes that were removed from the building.

The retail section of the store sustained some damage from the fire, but the most property damage was to the taller storage area on the north end of the building.

The fire is the second in the 600 block of North Grayson since Jan. 14. and the 10th in Dyer County in the new year.

A house at 624 N. Grayson owned by Willie Brown was partially destroyed on Jan. 14. That fire was reported at 7:52 p.m.