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The fire broke out just before 4 a.m. at the popular market located at 1717 West Main Street in Ephrata Township, according to Lancaster County Wide Communications.
The fire shuttered Route 322 in both directions between Wood Corner and Robert roads, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation explained. It has since reopened but Hackman road remains closed as of 1:30 p.m. Salt trucks were also called to the scene to help prevent the water the firefighters were using from freezing into ice on the roadways.
As the hydrant system was overwhelmed additional tanks were called. Over 200 firefighters from 45 companies from Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester counties were called to the scene, LCWC detailed.
Around 9 a.m. fire officials said the fire was a "multi-million dollar loss." This comes after a wall between the market and an adjoining appliance store fell around 7 a.m.; leading crews to evacuate as they feared a possible building collapse.
The appliance store suffered water and smoke damage but the fire never entered that part of the building, Lincoln Fire Company Public Information Officer Randy Gockley said.
One firefighter was injured, Gockley explained. The firefighter fell and broke or fractured his ankle/leg, Gockley details to the best of his knowledge of the man's injury.
The cause of the fire is unknown, although Gockley noted an employee was in the building when a fire was spotted in a small back room.
The community is already feeling the loss of this major business, sharing on social media.
The fire was knocked down around 10:30 a.m., but fire officials believe it could take an additional 11 to 15 hours to knock out hotspots. Gockley estimated clearing the scene around 7 p.m.
The public continues to be asked to avoid the area.
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