A suspicious fire Tuesday destroyed the landmark but long-closed Goffs General Store in the Mojave Desert village of Goffs, California.
Here’s the initial report from San Bernardino County Fire:
Numerous 911 callers stated smoke and fire showing from a vacant store. Crews arrived to find a vacant building approximately 50% involved. The building, formerly the “Goffs General Store,” was built in 1946 and frequented by Route 66 travelers. Crews mounted a defensive fire attack, keeping the fire to the building of origin. No municipal water supply hampered the ability to keep continuous water flowing. Firefighters utilized water tenders and a water-shuttle operation for a water supply.
ZachNews.com, based in nearby Needles, reported the blaze was suspicious in nature.
According to Route 66 Times, the Goffs General Store included a bar, restaurant and dancehall on one level. It was the largest building in the village at one time.
Here’s what the store looked like about 10 years ago:
It closed about 20 years ago, but its distinctive architecture made it a popular photo-op with Route 66 travelers.
UPDATE 6/14/2021: The Victorville Daily Press filed a good follow-up report to the fire, including this bit of history:
Cowboys would frequent the place along with big-rig truckers. Thursdays were square dance nights and a “big country dance” took place once a month, according to Swain.
“We had a pretty good clientele,” he said. “I made more money there than when I was working for the government.”
(Hat tip to Blue Miller; image of the Goffs General Store fire via San Bernardino County Fire; image of the Goffs General Store in 2011 by Don Barrett via Flickr)
Yet another criminally insane arsonist. If caught (what chance?) what sentence? I see arson on the same level as murder: deliberate taking of life, here of a building.