WMC-TV: News, Weather, Traffic, Radar, and Sports for Memphis, TN; WMCTV.com | Popular Oakland business destroyed in fire
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Photo of the fire submitted by a My 5 user.OAKLAND, TN (WMC-TV) - Firefighters from three West Tennessee fire departments battled a large fire Tuesday morning at Anna-Renae's Gift Shop and Tea Room in Oakland.
Joan Knichel and several of her co-workers didn't know what to think moments after flames ripped through the shop.
"We were all in the kitchen and one of the girls looked around and the dining room was full of smoke," Knichel said.
Her first thought was to run for safety.
"I'm terrified of fires so I got everybody out quick," she said.
Store owners said the business had been in operation for almost 7 years. It had become a fixture in the Oakland community, selling everything from very unique gifts to antiques, and even had a tea room.
"We had it decorated for Christmas," Knichel said. "Nine Christmas trees all over the house."
"To see it burn is even harder," property owner Monica Renae Choate said. "I called my sister and said it was on fire and she was crying because it was more than just brick and mortar. To us it was our lives for the last six years."
The home, which was originally built in 1908, was destroyed by fire in 1909 and rebuilt in 1912. Owners say the property had a lot historical value, and was listed on the city's historical register as the oldest brick home in Fayette County.
"I'm sure it's a total loss," Choate said. "We loved the old building, so I'd like to get in there and see what can be salvaged, I guess."
Officials said crews from Oakland, Somerville, and Hickory Withe battled the blaze. Traffic was diverted on Highway 64 and Highway 194 to avoid the fire scene and emergency vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
Copyright 2009 WMC-TV.
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