RISON - A fire that destroyed the inside of a Rison convenience store was apparently burglarized before the fire broke out there early Sunday morning, according to local police and fire officials.
Fire Chief Alan Parnell of the Rison Fire Department said firefighters responded to a call that came in at 5:03 a.m. Sunday, June 11, at the Rison One Stop located at the intersection of Magnolia (Hwy. 35) and Pine Street in Rison.
Upon arrival, Parnell said they encountered heavy smoke with fire showing on the inside of the building. He said they were able to gain entry through the back door and were able to extinguish the fire.
"The fire had been burning a little while before we arrived," Parnell said. "It was a total loss because of the heavy fire dam-age to the inside." Chief Deputy Gary Young with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department said once the fire was extinguished it was determined that there had been a burglary at the store and that items had been stolen. He said the incident is currently under investigation.
The fire left the City of Rison without any access to gasoline on Sunday. The Quik M Convenience Store on Magnolia Street had stopped selling gas before the business eventually closed. The Corner Express at the Hwy. 79/35 intersection is usualluy closed on Sunday but the primary pumps used for passenger vehicles in front of the store were removed late last week as new ones are being installed.
The Corner Express is selling passenger vehicle fuel at one pump behind store.
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