Fire damages family's pawn shop in Bradenton
BRADENTON (FOX 13) - Charred ashes remain on the building that Fred Adams put so much work into. He owns Adams Family Pawn in Bradenton, which caught fire just before 7 a.m. Tuesday.
"I think it is pretty much a total loss, with everything there," Adams told FOX 13 News.
Part of U.S 41 was shut down Tuesday morning as firefighters battled the flames.
"Oh Lord, I don't know how many fire trucks were out here. Looked like enough for two or three cities," said Adams.
When the fire was out, there was almost nothing left. It is a loss for the Adams family, and for the community, too. This was a business people said they trusted.
Fred's son, Jerry runs the store and said his job was to "help people out."
"He works with people more than any of the other shops will. They are cut-and-dry. They are corporation stores," Fred explained.
The Adams family started their pawn shop 15 years ago. It has been at it's current location for close to four years, and now the family isn't sure what they are going to do.
"I am hoping we can rebuild and get a shop going again," Jerry said.
For Jerry, it is not just about the business. It is about giving back. At Christmas, he is known to dress up as Santa and help get toys for local kids in need.
"Now I don't know what is going to happen," Jerry said.
He and his father can only hope their shop will be back open in time for this Christmas. The State Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire. It will take a few days before the investigation is complete.