Carmel strip mall destroyed by fire

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Firefighters are still battling hot spots at a strip mall destroyed by fire overnight.

Fire crews were called out to 106th Street and Michigan Road at around 1:30 a.m.

“We don’t yet know if this was started by lighting or something else. It will take us days to investigate. This is a multi-million dollar loss,” said Bruce Knott, Fire Marshall with Carmel Fire Dept.

24-Hour News 8 talked with the owner of the strip mall who said he does plan to rebuild as quickly as possible.

Damage is estimated at $3 million, but the business owner says he thinks the loss is greater than that.

“We had the dream of owning this store for years. Now it is up in flames. When I first got the call I thought it was a joke,” said business owner Becca Zipes. Her store "Cork and Cracker Wine" has been in the strip mall for the past 2 years.

Firefighters say a convenience store clerk taking out the trash called 911 after she saw the flames coming from the roof of the strip mall.