Fire damages Sanford businesses
SANFORD (WTVD) -- Authorities in Lee County are investigating a fire that damaged several Sanford businesses early Monday morning.
Firefighters were called around 4:15 a.m. as flames raced through to the former Roadway Trucking terminal in the 3300 block of Cameron Drive, on the south side of the city. The building now houses Big Al's Automotive, Kelly's Clean Cars and Sanford Auto Auction.
No one was hurt during the blaze.
Crews worked for several hours to make sure it was extinguished. It is unclear what sparked the fire, but officials are not calling it suspicious.
Business owners who were at the scene told ABC11 that they hope something can be salvaged.
"I had about $3,000 right here," Kelly's Clean Cars owner Kelly Gibson said. "Now I got $300 in the bank. I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get started."
All that's left are charred reminders of their investment in tools and equipment.
They're proud of the business they established in September after a period of homelessness.
"We've come a long way in three years," Gibson said. "From nothing, to having a life ... we just work. That's all I do."
"We were doing really well," Kelly's wife Terrie Gibson said. "We don't have any ... you can see inside, but nothing's left any more."
The couple did not have insurance, and said they hope the public keeps them in their prayers.
"We're gonna make it," Terrie Gibson said. "We're going to start over somehow, because we always bounce back. This is my husband and my best friend. We're going to be okay, honey."
