Fire Destroys Longtime Kansas Businesses

Two businesses that operated in downtown Pittsburg for decades are gone, and the owners are uncertain whether they’ll try to rebuilding.

A massive fire on Saturday destroyed Beitzinger’s Hardware and Benelli’s Jewelry. The hardware store had been in business since 1934, and the jewelry store since 1947.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. The owners of both stores told The Morning Sun newspaper they have fire insurance, but they’re not sure if they’ll rebuild.

Pittsburg firefighters battled the flames on their new, 100-feet aerial truck. Fire Chief Scott Crain says crews had installed hoses on the vehicle just one day earlier.

The aerial truck replaces an older one that had been in service for 30 years.