SOUTH WATERBORO — Fire raced through  Brookfield Plaza at 1009  Main Street this morning, engulfing the building and its contents.

York County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. David Chauvette said it was his understanding that no one inside Family Dollar or Plummer’s Ace Hardware, both of which were open at the time, was injured. Asian Taste Restaurant had not opened  for the day when the fire erupted.

Family Dollar manager Barbara French said employees at Plummer’s Ace Hardware stopped by to tell her t here was a fire. French and the half-dozen customers inside the store got out safely. 

“Ten minutes later the whole thing went up,”  French said as she watched from the scene about 10:30 a.m.

Chauvette said the fire was reported at about 10:04 a.m.

Smoke could be seen from miles away. Traffic was re-routed around that portion of Main Street, which is state Route 202.

Firefighters from Waterboro and several surrounding communities used three ladder trucks to apply water form nearby hydrants to the metal building. Firetrucks on the scene at late morning were from Alfred, Arundel, Buxton, Goodwin’s Mills, Hollis, Limerick, Ross Corner Fire Company and Waterboro.

No further information was immediately available as firefighters were busy fighting the blaze. 

Asian Taste and Plummer’s Hardware were both closed for a period of time this spring while exterminators worked to eradicate a rodent problem. Extensive renovations were made to the building and both businesses re-opened. 

Look for much more on this story online later today or Monday and in the print edition on Tuesday.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.