The Wonder Bread Retail Outlet and Distribution Center in Galesburg is now destroyed after catching on fire around 11:00 Saturday night. Fire investigators said it took crews about an hour to put the fire out. Sunday they were on the scene for about seven hours trying to figure out what happened. Eyewitness Calvin Fontaine said he works at an auto body shop next door and got called into work for an emergency brake job, but when he got there an even bigger emergency awaited him.
"I just saw flames shooting out the roof and out the sides. I couldn't believe it," Fontaine said.
Debbie West said she too couldn't believe what she saw.
"I live just a block up and could see them (the flames), they were high enough I could see them," West said.
With one of the fire department's engine companies just down the street from the building, investigators said crews were there within minutes pushing back the fire.
"They set up hose lines and started just working the fire, keeping it contained in the area. Without a doubt that kept the fire from spreading into the truck area," Investigator Mike Whitson said.
While the trucks used for distrIbution were saved, the retail side of the building, which was full of product, was destroyed. Investigators said while they haven't figured out an exact cause of the fire, they do have an idea of where it started.
"The general area is one of the two offices," said Whitson.
Investigators said because of the extensive damage the building will have to be torn down.
Meanwhile, Wonder Bread managers said they lease the building from a private owner. They said they will be looking for a new location. A truck is also coming down from Peoria Monday so their distribution routes won't be affected. Unfortunately, costumer's who shop at the retail outlet will be affected and will have to go elsewhere to buy bread. Debbie West shops there often and said losing the store is a big blow to the community.
"They had special deals, with the economy the way it is I'm sure it's going to affect people. You know, because you could get bread for 59 cents, and then now you go to the store and it's two something, so it's sure going to hurt."
Wonder Bread managers said about 15 to 20 people work at both the Distribution Center and Retail Outlet. They said even though they can't work like normal, employees will not lose out. They said everyone will be coming in to help clean up the mess and take inventory of what was lost.
