A fire gutted Caudill’s Electric in one of Kernersville’s most iconic buildings. However, the family plans to reopen across the street and the community is rallying.
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — A building once considered one of Kernersville’s most iconic landmarks is now barely recognizable.
Saturday night, flames tore through the historic Harmon and Reid Mill building. Even through the damage, the community is standing tall. Neighbors, friends and local businesses are rallying around the Caudill family, doing what they can to help.
Caudill’s Electric has operated in the Harmon and Reid Mill building for several years. The mill itself was built in 1897.
"It's just a staple piece in Kernersville," said Reanna Ruark, a Caudill family friend.
On Saturday, neighbors watched helplessly as the massive fire ripped through the structure. For some, it brought back painful memories.
"My partner's the one that reached out to me and sent me a text and said, 'Have you heard the news?' And then she started sending photos, so it's like reliving it all over again," said David "Fitz" Fitzpatrick, owner of Fitz on Main.
Fitzpatrick knows the feeling all too well. His restaurant caught fire last year. Through his own loss, he found unexpected support from the very family whose business now lies in ruins.
He still has a letter Caudill’s sent him four months ago.
"'The journey to recovery of a devastating fire was undoubtedly long and challenging,' and now I could almost give this letter back to her and say, you know, you gave us the inspiration. Um, and the, and the motivation to, uh, to help us rebuild. You're our cheerleader and so we wanna, we wanna be there for you guys," Fitzpatrick said.
Love after loss — that’s what this town is built on.
Dana Caudill inherited the family business and runs it with her husband. She couldn’t go on camera, telling us it’s just too emotional. She spent the day with her insurance agent, sorting through the ruins.
Ruark said the Caudills once helped her start a nonprofit. Now, she’s ready to return the favor.
"We're kind of in the talks right now trying to get a fundraiser together for the Kursville community to just come together and support the Caudills in any way that we can," she said.
Fitzpatrick said that’s what this town does best — come together and rebuild.
"I'm confident that the Caudills will get back on both feet and we'll rebuild. Whatever they build and it will have a signature to the past, I'm sure," Fitzpatrick said.
Caudill’s Electric posted on Facebook Sunday about the fire, calling it devastating.
They said in part, “Last night, we experienced a heartbreaking total loss at Caudill Electric as our building went up in flames. Watching it burn was incredibly difficult and left us feeling helpless — but even in the middle of the devastation, we are filled with gratitude” about all the people who came out to help.
They're not letting this fire keep them down. Dana Caudill told us they’re moving operations across the street and plan to reopen Tuesday.