Stilwell Fire Destroys Antiques Store

An antique store in downtown Stilwell, Oklahoma, was heavily damaged by fire Monday, a fire department volunteer told KFSM in Fort Smith.

A couple of Stilwell firefighters were hospitalized in Stilwell with heat exhaustion but have been released, said the volunteer, retired Stilwell firefighter Larry O'Neal.

Friends of the owner say she bought the building about three years ago and operated a business called Astrid's Beads and Antique Store there.  A friend says the owner had been open by appointment for the last year due to family illness, but was not closed as previously reported.

The fire began about 2:30 p.m. and was under control by about 6 p.m., O'Neal told the station.  He said heavy equipment was at the site Monday evening to knock down the furniture store's walls.

He said Fletcher Hardware & Furniture Co., next door to the store, was damaged by water from firefighters battling the fire.

No other injuries were reported, O'Neal said.

A friend of the owner of Astrid's says she lost everything and did not have insurance. 

KFSM in Fort Smith, Arkansas, contributed this story.