Green Gables: Gone

BRADFORD — The investigation continues into the Sunday morning fire that destroyed the Green Gables Furniture Co. plant in Bradford.

On Monday, Bradford Police Chief Dawn Dove said the Stark County Sheriff's Department received a telephone call at 8:02 a.m. from a couple who were passing by the business, who reported seeing smoke coming out of the roof of the Green Gables factory. The business is located at 503 S. Peoria St., on the south side of the town.The couple stopped and went up to the building, and the doors to the building were warm to the touch.

Approximately 10 departments from Stark, Bureau and Peoria counties, including Buda, Sheffield and Tiskilwa, responded to the fire scene and spent more than five hours putting out the flames. The Illinois Department of Transportation also responded because Route 40 had to be closed. The American Red Cross also assisted at the scene, providing food and drinks for the firefighters.

Dove said Green Gables, which employed more than 30 people, was a total loss.

Firefighters remained on the scene until late evening. There were no reports of any injuries, Dove said.

According to the company's website, the family-owned business opened in 1986. Green Gables used barn wood to make custom furniture.

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