An Auburn store is shut down temporarily after a fire extinguisher is used.
AUBURN – A small, early-morning fire closed Blackie’s Produce Stand Thursday and forced owner Blackie Labbe to have his entire inventory hauled to the dump – 12,600 pounds of fruit, vegetables, nuts and candies.
At 7 a.m. an employee using a mechanical forklift to move a large crate of apples heard a “pop” come from the bottom of the vehicle and saw flames shooting out of the bottom and the seat, according to people at the scene.
The worker grabbed a fire extinguisher from the gas station next door and quickly put out the fire, which left little physical damage.
Dust from the fire extinguisher, however, coated the entire store. Food inspection officials decided everything had to be trashed.
The store was also cleaned out with a power washer.
Employees said they were fortunate in one small way: An earlier delivery hadn’t been brought inside yet.
Labbe said he has owned the Minot Avenue produce stand for 18 or 19 years. He anticipated reopening Friday afternoon.
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