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Sherburn business burns

SHERBURN — We don’t always know why things happen the way they do, but when trouble strikes, it’s nice to have the support of family and friends, as well as our local communities.

On Friday evening, Morris Bait Shop and Freshwater Tackle Manufacturing in Sherburn, owned by Roger Morris, went up in flames. No one was inside the building, which is considered a complete loss.

According to Sherburn Fire Chief Michael Lyon, the cause of the blaze was determined to be electrical.

“There was a machine there that they would use to bag bobbers, and there was a heating element it used to seal the bag shut, and we narrowed it down to either the cord, the outlet, or the wiring for the outlet,” he said. “We ruled out arson right away, as there was some pretty basic, easy fire patterns to pinpoint it.”

Lyon said they called for mutual aid from the Welcome Fire Department, and the Sherburn Police Department and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office were on hand to help.

“When we got there, it was a pretty good volume of smoke coming out,” Lyon said. “Our guys tried to go in right away but as soon as they opened the door it was too smokey and, because there was no one in there and it was an older building, we didn’t want to risk too much harm. So we went around and were able to get in through a window and put it out after that.”

Morris’ daughter, Stephanie Moore, was able to share some additional information.

“The call came in to the fire department at about 7:45 p.m. and I was on scene at the same time as he police,” she said, noting the family was pleased with the quick response of emergency workers.

“It was an electrical fire, and most of the flames were in the ceiling part of the building,” she said. “The rest of the damage is from the heat, and the building is a total loss. We actually have a demolition crew that will be taking it down within the next week, and it’s unsafe for the public to be anywhere in the vicinity.”

“Crews were there for about three hours, and when we were able to go in, we salvaged about 15 percent of what was in there. Everything else was a loss.”

Since then, she says some of the ceiling has started to cave in and there is a danger of collapse.

“That was everything, and the money that he has now was what was in the register, and he really lost his entire way of living,” Moore said.

She also shared some of the history of her dad’s business on a GoFundMe web page:

“Roger started this business with an 80-gallon drum for minnows, and he always had a dream of having a successful bait shop. In 2001 his dream of owning a manufacturing company came true, and he purchased Freshwater Tackle and Manufacturing and expanded his two stall garage and an addition into his business. In 2013, he purchased the old Sherburn Cafe, also known as Country Cafe.

“Roger has always been a hardworking man. He has always been a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and a beacon in the community. He has always been there to help anyone out even though has his own health issues he has been battling with, and currently has no income except for his lifelong hobby of Morris Bait.”

Moore says there has been outpouring of support from the community, and the family is grateful to those who can help in any way possible. Needs include a commercial dumpster, storage fees for salvaged items, and demolition and cleanup costs.

Moore said cash donations can be dropped off at Bank Midwest locations. The funds will be put into the Freshwater Tackle Manufacturing account, and support also can be given online at www.gofundme.com/morris-bait-shop-fire-relief-fund

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