Halloween Fire Claims Historic Sunfish Mall, Arson Suspected

11/1/2016

Darren Doyle, story and photos
An historic county landmark is in ruins after it was claimed by a Halloween night fire that officials say was caused by arson.

The Sunfish Mall, owned by Steve Yates and located at the intersection of KY HWY 187 and 238, was fully engulfed in flames around 10:30pm. Firefighters did all they could, but the building and it's contents provided far too much fuel to keep the flames going. Emergency personnel worked hard to keep the blaze controlled and away from the nearby home.

Front of building just before it fell. (courtesy Elizabeth Honeycutt)

Responding to the fire were the Bear Creek, Lincoln, Kyrock, and Brownsville Fire Departments, along with the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Jailer's Office, and Probation and Parole Office.

Law enforcement officials investigated the scene and began an immediate search of the area for a certain vehicle that could possibly be a match to the evidence found at the scene.

"Obviously there's no excuse for purposely setting anything on fire for the fun of it, whether it's Halloween or not," said Sheriff Shane Doyle. "This is such a senseless tragedy for a couple of reasons. One, it was a beloved landmark to the Sunfish community and this county that's now gone, and two, what looks to be some sort of prank could've seriously injured someone or even caused death."

The fire is still under investigation. No injuries were reported at the scene.

Johnny embry

11/1/2016 10:53:28 am

I would visted the Sunfish mall on more than one occasion with my dad and my family a boy this really saddens my heart

Strother HInes

11/1/2016 08:38:27 pm

I worked for Coca Cola inn the 70's and 80's..John A. Durbin was a character. Sad to see this gone

Ralph French

11/7/2016 01:44:17 am

I grew up coming to this old Store as a kid when it was owned by Lonzo Durbin. Me and my brother and sister's would ride our mule named OL Nell up to the store all the time . Then when John A Durbin bought it from Lonzo it became a popular place for us kids to hang out and listen to the many story's from the old folks that came in there and to the farmers that came in there. It was very much about of the Sunfish Community's History. People from all over the South east and North came to see the Sunfish Mall at one time or another. just to get a bologna sandwich and a hat that said I got hooked at the Sunfish Mall. We always joked with everyone that we had the only mall in Sunfish. And now because of someone wanting to just burn something they have taken it away from us.

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