Grocery store in small town in Kentucky loses all food in fire

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – A fire at a Powell County grocery store will likely impact a community’s supply of basic food items for the foreseeable future.

It happened Tuesday afternoon at the Clay City IGA.

Emergency crews said they arrived on scene around 3 p.m. and entered the grocery store through the doors but were met by a thick, black cloud of smoke.

Powell County Emergency Manager Kevin Babcock said the fire is believed to have started around a cooler in the back of the store, with smoke billowing from all corners of the building.

They called firefighters from Clark and Estill counties to help. Together, the firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and have now cleared the scene.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but Clay City Firefighter Lisa Johnson said this fire has severely impacted one of her community’s most important utilities.

“It’s hard when you lose something like this in a small community. Because when you go shopping here, you know everyone, everyone helps each other, and that’s how people get by here, helping each other,” said Major Lisa Johnson of the Clay City Volunteer Fire Department.

Although the fire did not produce many flames, smoke damage was significant. Babcock says all food in the store will be lost.

It is unclear when the store will reopen.

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