Blaze destroys Pine Creek Plaza [The Sentinel Echo, London, Ky.]

Mar. 25--LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. -- An investigation continues into the cause of a fire that destroyed Pine Creek Plaza on U.S. 25 early Monday morning.

As firefighters continued to work at the scene mid-morning, business owners stood in the cold, rainy weather to view the charred remains of what was once their livelihood. Only the outer walls of the strip mall were left standing.

"A total loss," Gerri Woods said as she looked at the remnants of her business, Wild Hair Salon. "I haven't even started to think about how much it will cost to replace."

The six-unit building housed five businesses -- Laurel Barber Shop, Dollar Island, Advertising Specialties, American National Insurance and Wild Hair Salon. According to the building's sign, a sixth business was coming soon.

Laurel County Property Valuation Administrator's Office records show Pine Creek Plaza is one of several properties owned by Pine Creek Properties, operated by Robert and Bart Rudd of London.

The 5,100-square-foot plaza was built in 2006 and was assessed by the PVA's office at that time at $125,000. It was due for re-assessment in 2010.

Phone calls to the Rudds were not returned by press time.

Kentucky State Police Post 11 Arson Investigtor Brian Lewis and KSP Post 7 Arson Investigator Pat Alford are leading the investigation.

KSP Post 11 Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper said the fire began around 3 a.m. Monday. Firefighters arrived on the scene about 11 minutes after a call was made to Laurel Dispatch, he said. Several of those firefighters were still on the scene hours later.

One of the East Bernstadt fire trucks was scorched when firefighters entered the building to extinguish flames. Trosper said firefighters had to gain access to the inside of the building, and in doing so, the fire "flashed."

East Bernstadt firefighters were assisted at the scene by the Laurel County Fire Department, Kentucky State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Staff writer Nita Johnson can be reached at [email protected].

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