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RICH SQUARE – Emergency responders here are asking the public and motorists to avoid downtown Rich Square until at least 12 noon today (Thursday).

A fire early this morning within the downtown business district is the reason that emergency responders have shut down Main Street (US 258) as the cleanup effort is underway on the heels of that blaze.

While details of what happened were not immediately available, photos posted to the Rich Square Fire & Rescue Facebook page appear to show an 18-wheeler on fire. That vehicle appears to be between the town’s two stoplights on Main Street.

One resident of the Rich Square area reached out to the News-Herald via Facebook Messenger, saying he heard two loud explosions around 3 a.m.

It is unknown at this time if the fire caused any structural damage to any of the buildings in that one block area. The News-Herald is working this morning to gain more details.