An early morning fire Sunday destroyed the grocery store in the small town of Allison and sent two firefighters to the hospital. Firefighters were called to the J&C Grocery store in Allison just after four o-clock Sunday morning.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the building and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses, which included a tavern and the town’s newspaper office. two Parkersburg firefighters helping battle the fire were injured when a brick wall collapsed on them.

One of the men was taken to University Hospitals in Iowa City with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The other was treated and released.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the Butler County Sheriff says he does not suspect foul play.

By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls