The tenants of the five aprtments lost everything in the blaze. It is reported that there were frozen pipes and Sam was using a torch to thaw them out early Monday morning. Eight fire departments from Essex and Clinton Counties were on scene. The cold tempatures and winds made battleing the blaze difficult. According to local historian Ron Bruno, the building was built in 1924 by Harry Richards and was opperated as Richard's & Brown Hardware for years. The store touted a little of everything from hardware to hunting and fishing. Before Blanchard's ownership the store was owned and operated by Wayne Feeley.