Fire destroys state office, local store

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 11, 2004

A Sunday evening fire in the 1000 block of Broad Street damaged three buildings, including the Alabama Employment Office and the Family Dollar Store.

According to the Fire Marshall’s Office, the fire originated in the Family Dollar Store and caused major damage to the interior and roof of the building.

The Rent-A-Center store and employment office, located on either side of the Family Dollar, also received damage to their offices.

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Margaret Hardy, manager of state Employment Office, said she was first notified about the fire around 11 p.m. Sunday.

Hardy said the employment office suffered water and smoke damage, but is otherwise in good condition.

The Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting with the Selma Fire Department in investigating the cause of the fire.

Until then, the offices around Family Dollar have to make due as best they can.

Employees at the Rent-A-Center have set up shop in the parking lot in front of their building so their customers can make payments.

The employment office has temporarily relocated to the Department of Human Resources at 200 Sam Moseley Drive.

Hardy and her staff work out of DHR for the next four to six weeks

Hardy said she and her employees are not going to let them be stopped by a fire.

Those who would like to contact the employment service can call 874-1501 or 874-1434.

The office’s job bank website is also still up and running at www.ajb.org