Maytown - A Jefferson County town is trying to deal with the loss of its only sales tax-generating business Thursday morning.

The Tri-City Convenience Store in Maytown caught fire about 2:30am.  The fire spread quickly and left only the front of the building standing.

The store on Alabama Highway 269 is also the only source of funding for the area's volunteer fire department.

"I got the call at 2:30 and they said it was a burglar, somebody broke into the store," Tri-City owner/operator Don Thomaston explained.  "When I got here and saw the fire trucks, watching it burn just broke my heart.  This has been a part of my life for 20 years."

"This is my only sales tax-generating business for the municipality," the town's mayor, Ann Goolsby said.  "That of course is gone.  And about 30 to 40 businesses service this store."

She calls it a "significant loss."

Mayor Ann Goolsby is also Lt. Ann Goolsby with the fire department and responded to the scene.  She was actually injured when she sprained her ankle trying to get water to the building.  Mayor Goolsby says she is fine but will get x-rays to be sure.

Thomaston plans to rebuild his store for the town of 450 people, possibly at the same location or on a lot he owns next door.

"I told somebody today it was like seeing a family member pass away.  I've been here so long, I know everybody in the community and it really the lifeblood of Maytown and this whole community.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause now.  Its cause is still "unclassified" however Thomaston says it appears it may have been caused by the wiring.

A total of 31 firefighters responded early this morning, including crews from Minor Heights, Sylvan Springs, and Adamsville.

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