SHAWNEETOWN - The structure of the Shawneetown Dollar General was saved, but there is heavy smoke, fire and water damage to the inside of the store, Shawneetown Fire Chief Terry Golden said Tuesday morning about an hour after firefighters cleared the scene.

Golden said a store employee arrived at the store at about 7:30 a.m. and was involved in her morning opening the store routine when she heard a loud pop near the clothing section of the store. She immediately left the store and went to a neighboring business to call 9-1-1.

Firefighters from Eldorado, Equality, Harrisburg, New Haven, Old Shawneetown and Ridgeway joined Shawneetown firefighters to battle the blaze or man the fire station, Golden said.

Firefighters cleared the scene at about 9:30 a.m.