OGDEN — Investigators were sifting through the remains of an Ogden convenience store Tuesday after flames ripped through the business Monday, causing $450,000 in damage.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but the blaze appears to have started in the attic on the northwest side of the Red Duck Mini Store, 180 30th St., Fire Marshal Matt Schwenk said. The fire did not appear to be suspicious, he said.
Two store employees smelled smoke and called 911 at 1:21 p.m. Monday, according to Ogden Battalion Chief Steve Splinter. A fire crew was in the neighborhood refueling and arrived four minutes later to find heavy smoke coming from the attic, Splinter said.
Heat and thick smoke prevented firefighters from entering more than 5 feet inside the building. Flames shot high into the air when the fire broke through the roof.
"When it came through the roof we had some pretty spectacular flames for a short period of time," Splinter said.
Ground crews were pulled back as firefighters battled the blaze from overhead. Part of the roof collapsed about 20 minutes after they arrived, Splinter said.
The 21 firefighters involved also prevented the gas pumps in front of the store from igniting. A 20-foot-high canopy above the pumps also prevented heat and flames from reaching the area, Splinter said.
Damage to the building was estimated at $350,000, Splinter said. Losses from damaged merchandise and equipment was estimated at approximately $100,000, Splinter said.
No one was injured.