(August 27, 2008)--Fire investigators are now working to piece together what sparked a massive fire that destroyed Action Pawn
The fire broke out just before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the business at the intersection of South Fort Hood Street and Central Texas Expressway.
The fire became a ragging inferno in a matter of minutes, most likely because of the number of electronics, tools and weapons inside the store.
"I probably arrived on scene within a minute and a half or two minutes of the initial call,” Killeen Fire Chief Jerry Gardner said.
“There were flames through the roof at that time and the rear of the building."
Firefighters from Killeen, Fort Hood and Harker Heights responded, totaling seven engine companies.
The building along with its valuables is considered a total loss.
The instability of the building itself, didn't allow investigators to begin sifting through the rubble until Wednesday afternoon.
While investigators searched for answers about how the fire started, the other task at hand was accounting for close to 1000 firearms and 50,000 rounds of ammunition believed to have been inside the business.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms worked to account for every weapon, while customers with merchandise at the pawnshop were left to wonder what happens next.
Sheena Rae-Skitromo searched for answers about a laptop computer she used to get a loan.
"I was suppose to pick it up tomorrow and there's over $2,000 worth of merchandise in there that belongs to me," Rae-Skitromo said.
The pawnshop says customers need to hold onto their pawn tickets, but say it may take a few days to sort everything out.