Furnace fire at Liberty Pawn


The Pipestone Fire Department helps dissipate the smoke following a furnace fire last week at Liberty Pawn, Coins, and Antiques on Main Street. The fire had been put out by the time the fire department arrived on the scene. The fire started in two side-by-side furnaces on the first floor, according to owner, Luke Johnson, who was not there when the fire broke out. His wife, Nyla, was in the building, but she was not hurt. Johnson did not yet know last week what caused the furnaces to catch fire. The business was closed last Friday when temperatures were in the single digits overnight. Johnson said a small furnace in the basement helped keep the place warm, as did several electric heaters. In addition to the ruined heating and cooling system, there was some smoke damage, including to a ceiling grid. “We’re thankful it wasn’t worse,” Johnson said. D. Fitzgerald