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BUENA VISTA, Va. (WDBJ7) – The people of Buena Vista claim to have lost a legendary part of their hometown. When the flames flooded the South River market, they said it had destroyed more than just a gas station or a market, but also a staple of the community.
When the explosion shook the ground, Ryan Clark was seconds away.
"I heard a big boom.That makes you shudder.That made the truck shake.When I made the turn, the smoke was probably 20 meters away," Clark said.
Clark pulled out his phone while he was passing and capturing a video.
"Shock more than anything, it's shocking your system, it's not something you see every day, especially something you know so well," Clark said.
Going to the market is a morning routine for many of the neighbors. Joann Slough was also heading in that direction.
"He was engulfed in a fire, it was so high, it was horrible," Slough said.
Roger Shafer lives in the house on the other side of the street. He missed the explosion of a few minutes, but returned home devastated.
"Just sadness," says Shafer. "Thinking about the people who were inside."
As the day approaches, the flames have been extinguished and there remains only a small cloud of smoke, but neighbors say nothing will replace what the fire destroyed.
"It's legendary, no other word for that," Siad Shafer.
"To know when I will drive home that it will be gone … it's really weird," Clark said. "It will be a loss felt from time to time for years to come."
Many questions remain. Four people were taken to the hospital. Virginia state police found the remains of a person late Friday afternoon and said three or four other people were missing.
The neighbors told WDBJ7 that no matter what happens next, they would be there to lend their support.
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