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Anchor Lumber shows appreciation after devastating fire in Silvis

Silvis firefighters roll into the Anchor Lumber lot on Friday. “It’s a little smoky,” said Liz McGehee, wife of Anchor’s President Alex ...

Silvis firefighters roll into the Anchor Lumber lot on Friday.

"It's a little smoky," said Liz McGehee, wife of Anchor's President Alex McGehee.

But this time, the only smoke firefighters encounter comes from an outdoor grill.

"It's just amazing they're even open," said Silvis firefighter Mike Walz.  "I'm shocked."

Anchor Lumber normally holds its Customer Appreciation Day on Friday.

"It's business as usual around here in kind of an unusual way," said Operations Manager Rick VanOteghem.

This time, the sizzling burgers help to thank first responders for an awesome job during Monday's devastating fire.

"Everybody came together," said Lt. Greg Hart, Silvis Fire Department.   "We worked together."

It's quite a contrast from Monday.

Firefighters battle heat and thick smoke to save the landmark store.

Just hours later, it's back in business.

"It was kind of staggering and overwhelming," said VanOteghem.  "They came from so far."

Teamwork is an important theme at Anchor Lumber.  Important to revive the store, and important for the fast work by first responders.

"We've trained together before," Lt. Hart said.  "A lot of us know each other and know what to expect from each other."

As customers and firefighters line up, the scene provides some food for thought.

"It just shows how being a community comes together in a time of need," Walz added.

Gratitude for staying Silvis Strong and saving this historic store that dates back to 1962.

"It got better every day," Van Oteghem concluded.  "This kind of culminates it."

Anchor Lumber will remain open during normal business hours while it begins to recover from the fire.

 

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