Fire destroys four downtown businesses

A fire that was reported shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday destroyed four businesses in downtown Vandalia.

The fire, which reportedly started at Cages in the 200 block of West Third Street, destroyed Cages, Donaldson Carpet, Gathe’s Tax & Accounting Service, and Dennis Gerkin’s State Farm Insurance agency. A fifth building, which houses Vandalia GMAC Real Estate, sustained some smoke and water damage.

Firemen were still at the scene through Tuesday afternoon, and two investigators with the office of the State Fire Marshal were at the scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this point.