Special Correspondent

Citizens attending the August 20 meeting of the Jenkinsville Town Council were one of the first ones to hear the sirens as the building known as Yarborough’s Store burned this past Wednesday.

Store owner Preston Brown, interviewed at the scene, said the loss of what he called a “landmark building” was a great loss to the community.

The Yarborough Store had long been a gathering place for the community, and most recently, was used an auction house.

Brown said that many pictures of his daughter, going back to when she was born, that were stored in the building were destroyed by fire.

He said he had no idea the building would burn so fast.

Brown expressed appreciation for the quick response of the area fire departments, Fairfield County EMS and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department. He estimated that eight trucks responded, 28 emergency personnel and 28,000 gallons of water used to contain the fire.

No one was injured in the blaze.

The Rev. Terry Leon Thompson, interviewed at the scene, recalled that the Yarborough Store was where his family bought their clothing.

He said his grandfather Milo Thompson had a gin, and he would purchase all of the items he needed from the Yarborough Store.

“It wasn’t an A&P or a Food Lion, it was Yarborough’s Store,” Rev. Thompson said.