BENTON, Ark. — Multiple businesses in Benton were damaged after a fire broke out Friday morning.
According to the Benton Fire Department, crews responded to "visible smoke and flames" in the 1600 block of Military Road around 5:30 a.m.
City Spokesperson Matt Thibault said the fire started in Young's Jewelers, but neighboring businesses Bodiddle's Wine & Spirits and Bodiddle's the Barber at 1611 were also damaged.
The cleanup has already started, and the community is supporting the owners.
"As soon as I got here, firemen and police officers grabbed me and hugged me," Bodiddle's owner Carl West said. "It'd be alright. We're going to take care of whatever you need."
They aren't the only ones offering to help West, who saw two of his businesses damaged in the fire.
"My POS from the liquor store is pretty well gone," West said. "My receipts are pretty well gone, so we'll have a lot of loss."
West woke up to the news that the building was on fire. Ever since then, he said his phone hasn't stopped ringing.
"I've got 1,034 text messages unread this morning," West said. "I'll get back to everybody. I promise it might take a little while, but I'll get back to you."
In addition to running his businesses, West raises money for those in the community and supports other companies by hosting food trucks in the parking lot.
"American Legion was here this morning to check on me because I raise money for those guys," West said. "I do what I can."
Even though West said it was most likely a total loss, he's still in good spirits and looks forward to the future.
"I'll rebuild," West said. "I'm just going to go."
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. However, authorities believe the weather wasn't a factor.
Nobody was inside any of the businesses during the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Benton fire officials said they're working with the business owners to determine the cause.