Story Created:
Nov 2, 2007 at 5:55 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Mar 24, 2008 at 1:54 PM CDT
"My mother keeps saying the Lord won't put a burden on you can't carry and you have to just believe that," said Harold Hawkins. A Burkburnett businessman relying on his faith after a fire destroys his family's way of life.
Five businesses in all are destroyed after flames gutted an entire building just before five o'clock this morning. Four of the businesses were owned and run by the Hawkins family. The other was leased out to a friend who ran a convenience store where it is believed the fire started. It took several departments about an hour just to get a handle on this blaze that went up at the intersection of Preston and Kramer. So Iowa Park, Cameron Gardens, Frieburg Cooper and Wichita Falls Fire Department were all called in. So was building owner Harold Hawkins. "Wanted to know if I was on my way up with a key it was burning. I said break in do what you have to do save it but it was too far gone," said Hawkins, owner of the Burk Center.
Wichita Falls fought the fire from above with the ladder truck, while the other departments focused on the fight from the ground-- But Harold says 4 of his family businesses are a complete loss. "A lot of my lifes work was in this building here cause i'm retired now, and this was my wife and I our retirement income. But now that's lost so I don't know," said Hawkins
They lost his son and daughter in law's tanning salon and Express Pack and Ship.
<0058--0107 my wife and granddaughter have kay's kloset, where they sold handbags, belts, and bling bling,and stuff like that and then hawkins real estate. Mickey's Convenience Store where the fire started is also completely gutted. But suprisingly through it all there is one miracle involving a Christmas gift. "She already had it wrapped it was wrapped in plastic and was saved. No damage to it what so ever."
Officials are still investigating but believe it was an electrical fire started in the storage room of the convience store. An interesting side note the owner of Mickey's says he's been told he must pay for all of the lottery tickets set to be sold in his store. He says it will cost thousands. As you can see a loss for many tonight in Burkburnett.
