Fire Destroys Postville Bakery, Apartments

13 people said homeless.

 

 

Photo credit; Laurel and Dean Ohloff, KCCI.com. More photos on KCCI.com. [Hat Tip: Max.]

Fire destroys bakery, upstairs apartments in Postville
Des Moines Register

A large fire in the eastern Iowa town of Postville devoured a downtown bakery today and displaced at least 13 people who lived in upstairs apartments, an eyewitness said.

Firefighters from at least six departments were still fighting the blaze at 2 p.m., almost four hours after residents first saw smoke. No injuries were reported, but the fire destroyed the Postville Bakery & Restaurant, which was out of business.

“It’s pretty bad,” said the Rev. Steve Brackett, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church about three blocks from the bakery. “It pretty much has consumed the entire building. But at this point, the firewalls between the two adjoining buildings have held.”

Brackett said the fire appears to have started in one of the upstairs apartments. The tenants include at least one family and several employees at the Agri Star kosher meat plant, formerly known as Agriprocessors Inc.

Brackett said he was first called about the fire around 10:30 a.m. The church is helping at least one family of four “that lost absolutely everything,” he said. Firefighters had to evacuate one couple through their second-floor window.

The fire consumed the bakery and filled the downtown with a smoke so thick that “you could barely see the fire trucks,” Brackett said.

The bakery sits in Postville’s business district on Lawler Street, between an appliance store and a gift shop.

Comments

[harold]

I think a collection for the homeless would be in order.

[Shmarya]

A collection you will never give to, I'm sure.

Anyway, I've collected lots of money for Postville over the past 1.5 years, 'harold.' I also was deeply involved in stopping evictions and energy cut offs and in food drives.

So your 'innocent' suggestion – which is meant to convey with it your undercurrent of snark and smarm – is off base.

For those who want to give:

St Paul Lutheran Church
116 E Military Rd
Postville, IA 52162
Atten: Bakery Fire Victims

[nachos]

Harold:

Perhaps if the Orthodox community had done something for those affected by the Rubashkin's, G-d would of shown Shalom some mercy and grace.

Instead all the money went to the defense fund. Instead of using the opportunity to turn a chillul hashem into a blessing you flubbed it.

I thank G-d everyday that I am no longer involved with the pseudo Jews of Postville.

[neighbor girl]

This is from kcrg.com
"A big building fire gave the town of Postville yet another chance to come together as a community." Several Postville residents are quoted, including Jennifer Herrera owner of the building. The bakery quit business before the fire.

[state of disgust]

Elmer and Jennifer are good friends and they are devastated by this loss. They were just glad no one was hurt.
This bakery was very much the story of the American dream, built from nothing. Its a real blow to the owners the residents and the town.

[Max]

KCCI site has pictures.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

Today, all of Northeast Iowa bonded as one to support the Postville community. An exhausting, emotional day it has been. Please, pray for the many individuals/families who have lost their belongings/homes. Pray for the busineeses effected by the fire.

. . . and thank G_d from the depths of your hearts that no one died today as a result of this massive fire.

I feel blessed to have been amidst the 'goodness of others'.

Thank you all. :)

[nachos]

Amen to AGRI-vated angel.

[yidandahalf]

This wretched plant brings nothing but misfortune to Postville. No matter what good intentions are promised, the plant brings misery and despair. I wonder if the new saviour will do something? Perhaps Crown Prince Heshey will help? Maybe a few coppers can be siphoned off Sholem's defense fund. I know these folks have largesse in their hearts and pity for their employees. If they don't give something, they may sit back and watch the people of this blog do so. It will make them feel so grand and good.

[Hometown Postville]

The bakery is a great loss to the community. It has been there for decades. I didn't realize it had been out of business though. I agree with some of the bloggers, some of the money being sent to defend SMR would be far better used in this humanitarian effort. My prayers are with all.

[Max]

I had many a cup of coffee at the bakery/cafe when it was in operation and enjoyed watching the morning gathering of seniors from the surrounding area - retired farmers and others, who would come for a little breakfast, discussion and friendship. After the raid, when some of their tenants couldn't pay the rent, Jennifer and Elmer helped them out. When workers who were promised good paying jobs by Agri didn't have anything to eat and the food pantry was closed, Elmer saw to it they had something to eat. I remember the workers from the Gordon, NB plant who were taken for a ride by the Rubashkin's coming in one morning - we took up a collection to help them buy gas so they could make the drive back home.
This was a great community institution and will be missed.