Fire burns Norwood business

April 29--A fire destroyed an older house converted into a business addition near downtown Norwood.

A passing Norwood police officer first spotted Sunday's 3:26 a.m. blaze at 232 S. Main St., part of Edwards' Flowers and Gifts, according to the Stanly County Fire Marshal Michael Roark.

It wasn't until 7:58 a.m. that firefighters had the blaze under control.

Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Mitchell Edwards, of Edwards Funeral Home, purchased the house about five years ago with plans to use the structure as part of a gift and floral shop.

Adjacent to the gift shop and added bakery, the burned structure was used to store equipment, supplies and antiques.

No one lived in the house.

"It was still furnished," Edwards said.

"It just makes me sick. I've always acquired antiques, anything old."

Everything inside was lost in the fire. Firefighters managed, however, to keep the blaze from spreading to the other business.

Edwards met with an insurance adjuster on Monday, but learned nothing about the losses as of yet.

Stanly County Communications dispatched the fire call at 3:27 a.m., with the first unit on the scene at 3:34 a.m. Three volunteer fire departments responded with the city of Norwood representing the lead unit. Aquadale and Center Rural also provided assistance.

"When I got there the backside of the house was fully involved," said Vaughn Rummage, Center Rural fire chief.

Rummage also said the power line to the house was also down when he arrived. It is not known at this time if that was a result of the fire's damages or potentially the cause.

The investigation is ongoing, Roark said.

To submit story ideas, contact Ritchie Starnes at (704) 982-2121 ext. 28 or email ritchie@stanlynewspress. com.

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