West Virginia Gov. Seeks Disaster Help for Flea Market Fire

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is seeking federal help for businesses hurt by a fire that destroyed the Milton, W. Va. Flea Market.

The governor’s office said Sept. 18 that Manchin requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the SBA agrees, business owners hurt by the fire would be eligible for low-interest loans.

A fire leveled the Cabell County market’s indoor shops Sept. 10. There were no injuries, but the market’s 130 vendors lost thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.

Manchin calls those losses devastating and says few of the vendors had insurance coverage. Manchin says he wants to do everything possible to help.

The flea market owner plans to reopen outdoor booths the weekend of Sept. 27.