A fire engulfed the front side of the Dollar General store at White River Plaza this morning, forcing the entire complex to evacuate.
The blaze started about 10:30 a.m. and was put out within 20 minutes, Muncie Fire Department Battalion Chief Gary Bowden said.
He said the cause of the fire was unknown, but it was contained to the front part of the roof and the sign of the building.
The store had one employee working who got out safely, he said.
David Robertson, managing partner of the White River Plaza, said the building hasn't had a fire in 30 years. Robertson said the building does have a sprinkler system inside, but it didn't activate immediately because of the fire's location on the building. He said the building's age wasn't a factor because it's still a "well-built structure."
Looking at firefighters accessing the damage, Robertson said he was so surprised when he heard the building was on fire and that he almost didn't believe it.
"My wife called me and I thought she was kidding," he said. "Once I got over to the building, the streets were already blocked off. I was really surprised that it happened."
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