Heartbroken over fire in downtown Guthrie
 

Although nothing in scope compared to the California wild fires last year, this just breaks my heart, and really hits close to home, being just down the street from me. I walked over to watch the firefighters for a bit, but just stood there helpless with tears in my eyes.

The firefighters did an amazing job keeping this contained to just two or three of the historic buildings in downtown Guthrie, battling not only the blaze, but mother nature's 30 - 40 mph winds. It is a wonder it didn't spread further.

Most devastating is the loss of the Double Stop Fiddle Shop, owned by a wonderful man named Byron Berline. Byron is a world class fiddler; in fact won the world championship one year. His fiddling is featured in the Doobie Bros. hit "What a Fool Believes". Now his Gold Record that was proudly displayed in one of the performance halls is also lost to history. His inventory of world class violins and other instruments; all gone, along with the Victorian building built in the 1890's. He is such an integral part of Guthrie. I am not even a Blue Grass fan, but attend his concerts regularly because he, and his band are so good at what they do. Amazing. Some of the ladies would bring home made pies and other desserts to the concerts. Kind of a time warp; like being in Mayberry in the 60's.

My heart goes out to him and his family.

Story: https://kfor.com/2019/02/23/multiple...-guthrie-fire/

Byron's band: http://business.guthriechamber.com/e...line-band-8146

Old cars, buildings and other irreplaceable things are important to me too, and it makes me sad when they are gone for good (or updated). Some people just don't care about old things, but I like them better than new things.

Amen brother. This is a tragedy.

heartbreaking. living in the country it always worries me about wildfires. these Oklahoma winds get crazy. today was 40+ mph. still cranking they just said over 30mph.