Family hopes to rebuild after McAllen blaze destroys business

McALLEN — An appliance store in North McAllen was completely destroyed in a major blaze just east of the busy intersection of North 10th Street and Nolana, the business' owners said Thursday.

The fire was reported shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday at Osment Appliance Center at 708 Nolana. It was contained by 5:45 p.m., fire officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, McAllen fire Chief Rogelio Rubio said.

Thick, black plumes of smoke billowed into the air and dozens of people gathered to see firefighters from McAllen, Pharr and Edinburg battle the blaze. The building's northwest corner caved in completely and its beige exterior walls were stained with soot.

No one was injured. The store's owners, Joe and Louann Osment, said they had no idea what could have caused the fire. Investigators continued combing through the site Thursday.

The father and daughter duo plans to rebuild the business if their insurance carrier covers the costs. The fire destroyed the store's frame and the merchandise inside. Louann Osment said the property damage is estimated to be $1.5 million.

While they wait to find out whether they will be able rebuild the store, they plan to continue operating the business out of their warehouse at the intersection of Highway 107 and Mon Mack Road in Edinburg.

The pair expects to meet with the store's employees today to plan the move.

"We're very optimistic," Louann Osment said. "We look forward to creating something newer and better."

As the fire consumed the appliance center Wednesday, Louann Osment initially worried her father was in the burning building.

"This is all I care about," she said at the scene Wednesday as she patted his shoulder, her eyes red from crying. Family members and employees stood outside, anxiously waiting for news from officials.

Agencies at the scene included fire crews from Edinburg, McAllen and Pharr, and the city of McAllen dispatched an emergency management team to the scene.

"We were so pleased with (the emergency responders)," Louann Osment said Thursday. "They were all very concerned and professional."

Joe Osment and his family-owned company have sold, serviced and repaired appliances throughout the Rio Grande Valley for 54 years, surviving the rise of big-box competitors like Best Buy, Circuit City and Conn's.

Started up in 1955, Osment Appliance Center has some 25 employees and annual sales of about $2.7 million, according to data from business information provider Dunn & Bradstreet at www.manta.com.

The property had an assessed value of about $778,000, according to the Hidalgo County Appraisal District.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.