~by The Perry News
Eight area fire departments responded to a blaze in an old grocery store building in downtown Grand Junction Sunday morning.
No injuries were reported in the fire at 301 Main St. E., which was reported shortly after 5:30 am.
The Grand Junction fire department responded, receiving mutual aid from the Churdan, Jefferson, Ogden, Paton, Rippey, Scranton and Bouton fire departments. Both manpower and water were requested from the assisting departments.
The cause of the fire in under investigation. A witness said an explosion was heard about the time the fire started, but the claim has not been independently confirmed.
The Iowa State Patrol, Greene County sheriff’s office, Greene County Ambulance and Grand Junction rescue also responded.
The two-story, 5,610-square-foot brick building was built in 1910. It served from 1924 to 1944 as the armory of Battery D, Second Battalion, 185th Field Artillery of the Iowa National Guard.
It was purchased in 2017 by Michael Halligan of Jefferson, according to county records.
