Friday fire damages post office, destroys restaurant in Transylvania Co.
WLOS — TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. -- A mountain community is in shock after a fire seriously damages their post office and destroys a local restaurant.
It happened early Friday morning in the Balsam Grove area of Transylvania County. The front of the post office looks unscathed, but just a few feet away is total devastation.
This fire damaged much more than a small family restaurant.
Just before 4 a.m., firefighters rushed to save the only post office in Balsam Grove, the flames having already claimed the only restaurant in town, Galloway's.
"It was a big part of the community. It was the only restaurant up here. It was kind of like the little watering hole where everybody could get together. It's going to be missed a lot," said Hope McCall, granddaughter of restaurant owner.
Water damage is what happened to the post office, thanks to a firewall blocking the blaze. It did cause major damage to the roof, and the fire chief says it likely can't be repaired as it is.
"The firewall really did its purpose. The fire was on the attic above the firewall. We were able to stop it in the attic. and save what was in the post office," said Chief Burt Hogsed of the Balsam Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
The cause of the fire is as yet undetermined for now, leaving this community in search of a new meeting place.
Fire officials say residents will likely have to go about 30 minutes down the road to Rosman to get their mail for now.
As for where to get their hot breakfast, locals will have to wait and see if Galloway's is rebuilt.
