Demolition has begun on part of a long-standing Burlington County, New Jersey farmers and flea market severely damaged by a fire last year.
Backhoes began knocking down walls and loading debris from a section of the Columbus Farmers Market into dumpsters Monday morning.
A fast-moving fire spread through the market's large red barn along Route 206 in Columbus last November and grew to four alarms. Flames shot through the roof as firefighters from several towns tried to knock down the blaze.
The fire destroyed part of the indoor market, but spared a section. The outdoor market was not damaged. The market, which opened in 1929, claims to be the Delaware Valley's oldest and largest flea market.
The market's owners said they plan to rebuild the space and make it bigger and better.
As for what sparked the fire, officials may never know. After a long investigation, the state's fire marshal ruled the cause as undetermined last week.
