A GAP has been left on Inglewood’s historic streetscape after fire destroyed the Jennings Store building last Thursday.
More than 30 firefighters from Inglewood, Bridgewater and specialist Bendigo crews battled the blaze for more than three hours.
General hardware shop owner David Oakley was treated at the scene by paramedics and immediately comforted by neighbours and friends.
Nearby business staff had noticed flames in the building, believed to have been built in 1866, and helped David leave the building.
“We saw David trying to put out the flames that had come from a stove and were heading to the ceiling. We wanted him out safely,” one said.
Police quickly closed Brooke Street between Verdon and Grant Streets. Businesses and residents in the block were told to switch off electricity at the meter.
Winds fanned thick black smoke and flames towards Bendigo while on the opposite side of Jennings Store, firefighters and neighbours poured water on the wall to prevent fire spreading towards Inglewood Emporium and a garage used to store historic vehicles.
Firefighters tackled the blaze from Brooke Street and Storm Lane, donning breathing apparatus as smoke became more acrid. Water also fell on chicken yards next to Mr Oakley’s store to prevent heat stress on more than 250 birds.
A Fire Rescue Victoria ladder platform arrived about 4pm as the battle to control the fire continued. A jet of water was sent through the front door while a fireman poured water from above the collapsed roof.
CFA Loddon commander Bryan Suckling said the building had become unstable. “The jet of water has created ventilation and we can see what has happened inside the building without sending firefighters in,” he said. 
“Because of (building) cracks (in the building) we don’t want to send people in.”
There was a halt to overhead firefighting when the platform’s hydraulic system failed and oil spurted onto Brooke Street. The platform’s secondary hydraulic system was used to bring the fireman and the platform back to ground level and then manoeuvre the ladder back onto its truck.
Powercor crews cut electricity in the block soon after 5.20pm and Wedderburn SES unit later arrived to erect portable lighting before demolition of the facade.
The store had been home to Mr Oakley’s business since 1979, based in the building originally owned by merchant William Jennings whose family traded from the 1860s until 1965.
Agriculture Victoria on Friday inspected the chickens, the base of Mr Oakley’s business. 
Given the all-clear, Mr Oakley was again selling chicks within 24 hours of the fire that destroyed his shop.