Flames lit up the night sky in northeast Phoenix when fire engulfed a convenience store. The raging inferno destroyed the 7-Eleven, but crews were able to protect nearby buildings.
The first alarm fire broke out around 7 p.m. Thursday night and within minutes, firefighters were dousing the massive flames with water.
"The fire contained, then the roof would smolder and pop back up again. For two hours, they fought to get that fire out," said Kim Courtright.
Neighbors watched their corner store, the 7-Eleven off Bell Road and 64th Street burn down. Some prayed the fire would not spread to surrounding businesses. The nearest one is a pre-school.
Spectators were emotional.
"It's a home away from home for our kids. It's what parents like me rely on. We're glad the firefighters saved our school. They are awesome," said Cherie Myohanen.
On Friday, the 7-Eleven is barely a shell of a building. The roof collapsed and the walls are caved in. Everything inside the store is a loss.
Paradise Valley Cooperative Preschool owner Terry Croy says the 7-Eleven is already missed.
"We're a great little small community. We watch out for each other. The gentleman would always give our children free Slurpies."
The school is just feet away from the convenience store. It has some water damage, but that's all.
'I talked to the fire chief and he said they had two firefighters ready and prepared for when it jumped and when it did, they were there and they literally saved our building," said Courtright.
Although the cause of the fire is unknown, firefighters say they do not consider the fire to be suspicious.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
During the summer, most people in the valley escape the heat in the pool or inside with air conditioning. But one Sun City woman didn't have that choice.
During the summer, most people in the valley escape the heat in the pool or inside with air conditioning. But one Sun City woman didn't have that choice.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching...
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in...
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
McDonald's says a key sales figure rose 2.6 percent in May, with the world's biggest hamburger chain attributing the bump to its focus on value and new menu options.
Cheap eats and new menu items helped McDonald's boost a key sales figure in May, bouncing back from a decline the previous month.
Chrysler is refusing a request by U.S. safety regulators to recall about 2.7 million vehicles to fix fuel tanks that could leak and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
A defiant Chrysler is refusing to recall about 2.7 million Jeeps the government says are at risk of a fuel tank fire in a rear-end collision.
Monday, June 3 2013 11:30 AM EDT2013-06-03 15:30:55 GMT
A Cheerios ad featuring an interracial couple that sparked serious controversy on YouTube brings up an important question: To what extent can a brand manage its reputation on the Internet?
A Cheerios ad featuring an interracial couple that sparked serious controversy on YouTube brings up an important question: To what extent can a brand manage its reputation on the Internet?
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
