Minor damage to Snooper’s Paradise after fire on roof
Published 7:51 pm Thursday, August 17, 2017
- Firefighters respond to a fire on the roof of Snooper’s Paradise in Groves on Thursday. Mary Meaux/The News
GROVES — The folks at Snooper’s Paradise are thankful for the quick action of firefighters and to a person named Troy.
Owners of the 60-plus year old antique store said someone named Troy who was traveling down a nearby road called the store to say he saw fire and smoke on their roof. Soon the alarm company was alerting the fire department.
Firefighters survey the damage on the roof of Snooper’s Paradise on Thursday.
Mary Meaux/The News
The call of the fire came in around 4:15 p.m. Thursday. The 30,000 square-foot store, located at 5509 E. Parkway, saw smoke damage and some water damage, which came in from the roof as firefighters extinguished the blaze. Plastic salvage covers were placed over the furniture to keep it from being damaged, Groves Firefighter Lance Billeaud said.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation but at this time it appears to have started on the roof,” Billeaud said.
Members of Groves and Port Arthur fire departments shake hands after extinguishing a fire on the roof of Snooper’s Paradise in Groves on Thursday.
Mary Meaux/The News
Owners Jon and Terry Hampton and their son Scott Hampton were at the business as firefighters moved about after the fire was extinguished. Large, industrial fans were placed inside the business and the doors opened to push any smoke outside.
“Nobody was hurt,” Jon Hampton said. “Thank goodness this happened during the day.”
Groves Assistant Fire Chief Kelley Moore, left, speaks with Fire Chief Dale Jackson outside Snooper’s Paradise following at roof fire on Thursday.
Mary Meaux/The News
Snooper’s Paradise is located in a strip mall type configuration with the Hampton’s owning the property. Scott Hampton said he went to each of the other shops in the strip to evacuate them although the fire was over the Snooper’s Paradise area.
“There is a little bit of smoke,” Scott Hampton said pointing inside the darkened building. “It could have been a lot worse. If this was at night, I don’t know what would have happened. Groves Fire Department did a super job and got here quickly.”
The fire came at a busy time for area firefighters. Jefferson County Water District 10 Fire Department in the Nederland area was responding to a fire around this time and Groves Fire Department members were monitoring the issue in case they were needed for help.
Mid-County area fire departments provide assistance to each other when needed. With this fire, considering the size of the building and its contents, GFD received some help from Port Neches and Port Arthur fire departments.
No injuries were reported.
Reporter: Mary Meaux, 409-721-2429
Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews
