TRAP – A Bertie County landmark is no more, consumed by roaring flames in the early morning spring chill.

A blaze in the wee hours Monday destroyed the Trap General Store located in that crossroads community at the intersection of NC 42 and Quebec Road.

One of two such general merchandise stores that were built in the late 1930’s, and served customers spanning several generations at that intersection, the fire was called into the Trap Volunteer Fire Department at around 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

As of early Monday morning firemen were still on the scene extinguishing small flare-ups, through the smoke and soot.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined.

“I live about three miles from the store (Bud Taylor Road),” said Fire Chief Mike Harrell, “and when I headed out for the call, I could see the flames from my house.”

Harrell said it was a three-alarm fire with two trucks from the Trap VFD battling the blaze joined by an engine truck, a tanker, and an equipment truck from the Colerain Fire Department. The Powellsville Fire Department sent two tankers and an engine, all needed to subdue the inferno.

“Whatever they (other fire departments) sent, it was good,” added Harrell.

Harrell said the store has been owned since 2009 by Abdul Rafas. It was built in 1937 by Bertie Wiggins and owned and operated by a sightless gentleman, a Mr. White, who ran it for several years with his wife. Ownership of the store then went over to Mike Harrell’s grandfather, who ran it as a family business for 47 years, first as R.D. Harrell & Son, and later taken over by the son, W.D. Harrell.

Roy Worrell owned and operated the store after the Harrell’s sold it, and there the business remained until Rafas assumed ownership.

Harrell said a fire report is incomplete at this time, but expects it to be finished sometime Tuesday (today) and turned into Bertie Emergency Services Director Mitch Cooper.