SEAFORD -- Rubble and debris is all that remain with demolition of Burton Bros. Hardware -- a 120-year-old downtown Seaford landmark heavily damaged by fire last November.
Monday morning demolition personnel and equipment from John Macklin & Son began knocking down the historic two-story building that had been a High Street business beacon for nearly 80 years through three generations of the Marvel family.
Most recent owners, Ron and Ric Marvel, took it over in 1954 from their father. Their grandfather started the family business in 1934.
A blaze triggered by electrical malfunction on the second floor Nov. 12 resulted in heavy fire, smoke and water damage.
The decision to not repair and/or rebuild hinged on insurance. Ron Marvel said the estimate to repair the building – without inventory replacement – was about $900,000, which is what was paid for but not enough to put the structure back in the condition that it needed to be in.
Ron Marvel said there is paperwork showing the building was started in 1893.
Burton Bros. Hardware was listed on the National Register of Historic Places during the 1970s.
Removal of debris is expected to continue several days this week.
Comments
You are encouraged to leave relevant comments but engaging in personal attacks, threats, online bullying or commercial spam will not be allowed. All comments should remain within the bounds of fair play and civility. (You can disagree with others courteously, without being disagreeable.) Feel free to express yourself but keep an open mind toward finding value in what others say. To report abuse or spam, click the X in the upper right corner of the comment box. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.