Hyde's One Stop burns
April 16, 2009
About 80 percent of Hyde’s One stop was destroyed in the middle of the night, April 2.
Jamie Hyde, 48, said he received a 1 a.m. emergency call from his security company.
“They said back door alarm was activated,” Hyde said, standing outside of his shell of a store. “I thought somebody was breaking in.”
Instead, Hyde would learn, the business he had owned since 2003 was up in flames. An electrical short in an exhaust fan had taken it almost all away.
Today all that’s left standing is the outside wall. Also, his gas tanks were untouched. All of his utilities are down.
But for a guy who just lost his business – temporarily – he’s positive about the future.
“It’s going to be better than it was,” Hyde said.
As he looks at what is left, he says a lot of memories come back.
“Mother and Daddy bought groceries here all my life,” Hyde said, noting the store was built in the 1950s. And, though Hyde was driving a truck before he went into the retail business, he explained, “I always wanted a convenience store. It became available, and I bought it.”
But he is certain about one thing: he’s thankful.
He’s thankful that five employees will be returning to work once he’s rebuilt.
He’s thankful to have a second chance.
Mostly, though, he’s thankful for the people who have made all of this possible.
He thanks the Dry Prong Volunteer Fire Department and the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Department.
“Deputy Danny Hebert was there immediately,” along with Sheriff Baxter Welch, Hyde noted. “I just can’t thank them enough.”
With a fire this size, Hyde said the flames required several hours of work to extinguish the blaze with water and foam.
And he’s extremely thankful to have friends like Lucas LaCour, Mike and Dewanna Merrell, John Karisny, Danny Hebert, Jacob Habert, Buddy Rachal, Travis and Melissa Lowe and Ronnie Futrell.
With their help, the charred remains were cleaned and organized within five hours.
“I just cannot say enough to thank all of my friends,” Hyde said.
He hopes to be up and going in a few weeks..
© Copyright The Chronicle 2009
© Copyright The Chronicle 2009
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