Hagan Ace Hardware cats safe after massive fire
Share this @internewscast.com

The fire burned for hours Friday, destroying the headquarters to the family-owned chain of Ace Hardware stores in Orange Park.

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Three cherished store cats from the Hagan Ace Hardware branch in Orange Park have been confirmed safe following a large blaze that destroyed a significant portion of the store Friday night, according to a store representative who spoke with First Coast News on Saturday.

Tara Lageman, a representative for the store’s owning Hagan family, confirmed that King Charlie, Timmy, and Evie were located unharmed soon after the fire occurred.

Lageman said the cats will stay with store employees once firefighters allow them to enter the property.

These cats hold a special place in the Orange Park community, with numerous individuals expressing concern on social media about their safety once news of the fire spread on Friday.


What happened?

The fire at the headquarters of the locally-owned chain of Ace Hardware stores started ten minutes before closing, Friday night, and the building was completely engulfed in flames within minutes, according to Lageman.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital, Laura Christmas, director of communications with Clay County Fire Rescue, said. However, Christmas added that everyone inside was able to get out. 

Saturday, First Coast News learned the firefighter suffered a heat-related injury and is expected to be OK.

Christmas said CCFR crews were able to reach the scene within three minutes of the first call. The fire raged for two hours. She said CCFR gave the fire “everything we have.” They were joined by the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, the Orange Park Fire Department, and personnel from NAS Jax.

Hagan Ace Hardware currently does not know the cause of the fire.

Lageman told First Coast News the store is owned by the Hagan family, who owns 11 Ace Hardware stores locally. The Blanding location is the headquarters, employing 33 people.

She said the family appreciates “the outpouring from the community,” and “we will rebuild. We’re thankful everyone is going to be okay.” 

Christmas said many firefighters on scene know the Hagan family, or are even related to them, making the situation very personal. 

Crews were able to get the fire under control after midnight. Blanding Boulevard was shut down in both directions Friday night. It reopened at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. Crews remain on scene to monitor any hot spots.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ scores Marvel's first $100 million box office opening of 2025

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Achieves Marvel’s Initial $100 Million Box Office Debut in 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel’s iconic group of superheroes has finally struck…

Emotional Ryanair Passenger Upset Over Hand Luggage Size Restriction at Boarding

THIS is the shocking moment a female Ryanair passenger was left sobbing…
Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 landing.

Delta Pilot Arrested Post-Landing at SFO, Surprising Passengers on Minneapolis Flight

A DELTA co-pilot has been taken into custody, with officers allegedly seen…
Surgeons performing surgery in an operating room.

China’s Disturbing Plan to Establish a Network of ‘Organ Harvesting Centers’ within Five Years… with ‘Donors’ Already Prepared

CHINA’S regime is significantly expanding its empire of organ harvesting centres in…
Georgia boy, 5, accidentally gunned down by twin brother after mother allegedly left weapon lying around

Georgia Tragedy: 5-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot by Twin in Mother’s Careless Weapon Mishap

An unfortunate incident occurred in Georgia where a 5-year-old boy was accidentally…
Collage of a woman relaxing on a beach lounger in North Korea.

Tourists Explore North Korea’s Eerie ‘Benidorm’ Resort Under Close Supervision

NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new “Benidorm”…
Elmhurst flooding today: Storm brings heavy rain to west suburb, floods buildings, homes and streets, prompting road closures

Severe Storms Hit Elmhurst: Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Homes and Streets, Leading to Road Closures in West Suburb

ELMHURST, Ill. (WLS) — Storms brought gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain…
Zac Brown and Kendra Scott’s plan for her $6.7M Austin home after engagement announcement

Zac Brown and Kendra Scott’s $6.7M Austin Home Plans Revealed Following Engagement News

Zac Brown and jewelry designer Kendra Scott are now engaged after the…
Travis Kelce debuts hair transformation at Chiefs training camp

Travis Kelce Unveils New Hairstyle at Chiefs Training Camp

Travis Kelce showed off his dramatic new haircut while preparing for the…
Renaming of military bases stirs debate over Confederate ties

Military Base Renaming Sparks Discussion on Confederate Links

In 2023, amid a national reckoning on issues of race in America,…
Donald Trump waving on a golf course.

Sir Keir Starmer to Meet with Donald Trump at Scottish Golf Course to Address Child Hunger in Gaza

SIR Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump at his Scottish golf course…
Report: Now John Bolton's Name Comes Up in the Russia Collusion Hoax—Did He Bury Evidence?

Report: John Bolton Implicated in Alleged Russia Collusion Hoax – Evidence Concealment Questioned

The Russia Collusion story is like the Jeffrey Epstein saga: neither will…