North Country farm and home center destroyed in weekend blaze

CARTHAGE- A North Country establishment is destroyed in the wake of a weekend blaze, emergency officials say.

It was around 2:30 a.m. Saturday when Carthage Fire Department was called to Agway Services-Simon’s Farm and Home Center.

Fire Chief Brian Draper told reporters from WWNY-TV that no one was inside when the fire sparked, however; some smaller animals did not make it out.

It’s reported that nearly a dozen other fire departments and agencies from around the North Country came to assist.

The property is deemed a total loss. The Simon family released this statement in the wake of the fire:

"As many of you have heard, what was meant to be one of our busiest weekends, turned out to be our last. This unexpected tragedy has shocked everyone, including our community members. We would like to thank all of the emergency responders for working tirelessly to contain and extinguish the fire! As for all of our customers, friends, and fellow business owners, you have no idea how much your love, support, and kind words have meant! With that being said, we will be back and ready to serve our community soon!"

As of this update, investigators say heat lamps are to blame for sparking this fire.

Image via Agway Services-Simon’s Farm and Home Center.