Bothwell residents are reeling following an early morning fire that tore through three buildings in the core on Friday.
Crystal Ashburn said she has lived in Bothwell her entire life, adding that her family owned Mrs. A's General Store for 20 years before retiring in 2020, prior to that owned Mrs. A's Cafe, now the Bothwell Diner Pizza and Wings, and her husband and friends work at the post office, the other building that caught fire.
Ashburn told CK News Today her "little town" is devastated by the loss of the three businesses on Main Street.
She said she is thinking of all the owners and everyone involved, adding she's glad everyone is safe.
"Our hearts are broken for the business owners and the workers and everyone in the community that's been affected," said Ashburn.
Ashburn said it was heartbreaking to watch the buildings engulfed by flames, adding it's an emotional, sad day in the town.
"There's a huge empty space in our town and in our hearts right now. I hope that we rebuild and that we come back better than ever, but it's going to take some time," she said.
Ashburn noted her favourite memory growing up working at the general store was seeing everyone on Christmas Eve.
"Christmas Eve everybody in my family, we went to the store and we worked with my parents. We spent the day and the evening there and saw every person in the community, every person in town, and it was just joyous. We had Christmas music and speakers outside of the store for Main Street to hear," reminisced Ashburn.
Ashburn said the residents lost some history on Friday, but Bothwell is strong.
She is also thanking all of the fire crews for their hard work so early on a cold January morning.