The building at 300 West Main Street in Marion known for years as the Blankenship Auto Parts building was victim of a massive fire that burned several hours Saturday, November 8, starting up at about 7:35 p.m. At least six departments assisted Marion in keeping the fire contained, but the building was a total loss by about midnight, and was razed the next day. It housed only props for Artsmart, a kids’ summer arts program. However, a Tennessee corporation, DHP LLC, had purchase the parcel on which the building sits in late September 2012 for $42,000, and the day before it burned, the parcel was split; further records were unavailable as of press time. The building is in “The Hub” Tax Increment Financing District, which is in development now. Fire authorities say they may never know what started the blaze; those on scene, however, said the fire had every appearance of a controlled burn.
