When the security alarm at the Piggly Wiggly went off in the early morning hours Sunday, owners Chris and Nancy Carlson weren’t too concerned. The alarm went off on occasion and was usually nothing. This time, however, it was something.

A fire swept through a portion of the local grocery store in Bethel Shopping Center doing extensive damage to the deli area, the ceiling and the roof. The store is closed temporarily, but will reopen, Carlson said.

At 4:13 a.m. Sunday morning, Russellville City Firefighters were called to the Piggy Wiggly where they encountered 12 to 15 foot flames coming through the roof near the front of the store. Fire crews quickly extinguished the largest amount of fire using the ladder truck's elevated stream. Then fire crews went to work ventilating to relieve the smoke and extinguish the fire inside the store.

Carlson said Chris headed to the store not knowing what was going on but suspecting nothing.

“Chris didn’t realize until he was driving and saw the smoke,” Carlson said.

Carlson said when she realized there was a fire, her knees felt weak and she turned on her scanner. The sounds of flames and glass breaking did nothing to alleviate her worries.

Carlson called her daughter, Kristie Moss, who happened to be in town visiting and they headed to the store that their family has run for over 20 years.

“It really happened very quickly,” Carlson said.

Moss said several firefighters said they thought it would be a total loss when they first arrived, but they were able to prevent that.

Both she and Moss praised the fire department for being on the scene quickly and containing the fire.

Firefighters were concerned about the fire spreading next door to the Walden Tire Store. Crews checked the store and found light smoke throughout , but no fire. There is a wall between the two stores but they share a common roof. Walden Tire was ventilated using positive pressure fans and after about an hour it was clear.

Fire units were on the scene for about 3 1/2 hours.

Fire investigators will be on hand soon to determine the official cause of the fire but initial investigations indicate it was electrical.

Most of the worst damage is in the deli area and that side of the store. However, there is smoke and water damage throughout. And the flames had begun to spread through the ceiling so there is heavy damage to the ceiling and roof.

Though much of the food and other items in the store appear undamaged, Carlson said they can’t sell anything. A company will come in and assess the damage to some of the fixtures in the store to determine what can be salvaged and Carlson said they have insurance so it will all be covered.

“We plan on being back as quick as possible,” Carlson said.

Walking through the store Monday morning, Carlson and Moss said it was hard to see the family business go up in flames.

“We grew up here,” Moss said. “It’s emotional.”

Already they are feeling support from the community they’ve served so long.

“You would not imagine the parade of people coming by here yesterday (Sunday),” Moss said. Many were on their way home from church and they often make a stop by “The Pig” on their way home.

Carlson said they all expressed their sympathy and sadness.

“The community has been loyal and good to us,” Carlson said. “We appreciate all their business.”

Carlson said they will have to take everything out of the store, remodel and then reopen. That could take a while but she hopes that their customers will stick with them and return to the Piggly Wiggly when it reopens.

“People are praying,” Moss said. “Please keep your thoughts and prayers with us and we hope to reopen as soon as possible.”

“And we’ll be better than ever,” Carlson said.