B&S Wholesale Tire Center owners weigh next move

While it's been more than a month since a fire tore through B&S Wholesale Tire Center, the co-owners are still debating their options for getting back in business.

"This has been home for us for 40 years, but we have to consider what is best for the business and also what is best for the future of historic downtown Wilson," Martha Pridgen said. "And some people wouldn't look at it that way, but we do because as far as we're concerned, it is part of our family."

Pridgen and son Jonathan operated the business that her husband began.

According to the Wilson Fire/Rescue Services investigation, crews responded at 8:08 p.m. Dec. 15 to a structure fire at the 225 Goldsboro St. business and found black smoke pouring out of the back of the building and fire burning through the roof.

Forty Wilson and Silver Lake firefighters jumped into action while police, EMS and utility personnel responded to provide assistance.

Martha Pridgen said she talked with someone walking a dog that night who noticed the front garage door open without any prompting and heard the motor, so she initially believed the motor started the fire. However, investigators determined it started in the back of the business, even though the specific cause was ruled "undetermined."

"It could have been something near the heater for a long period of time that deteriorated and caught on fire," Jonathan Pridgen said. "We don't know because there are tires in between the video camera and the heater, and that was our best chance to see what it was. It wasn't the heater, but it was something near it."

The mother-son entrepreneurs aren't focusing on the lack of a definitive cause, though, with all their thoughts focused on the future.

City of Wilson staff said B&S can rebuild in the same spot, but Jonathan Pridgen acknowledged the driveway from Goldsboro Street is difficult and often forces employees to work on cars in the alley behind the building. That means the Pridgens have to consider relocating within downtown or elsewhere in Wilson County.

"As I said when the fire occurred, we are leaving it up to the Lord," Martha Pridgen said. "We would not have withstood the trials we've been through if we didn't rely on him, and we are not going to do any different now."

The Pridgens and their two full-time employees are working to inventory the business' merchandise for insurance while weighing their options. An outpouring of support from the community immediately followed the fire and hasn't waned. That includes more than $16,000 in online donations to help with whatever path leads to B&S reopening its doors.

Jonathan Edwards said he received hundreds of text messages in the hours following the fire, and friends have offered to help comb through the rubble.

"I know they are genuine in wanting to help, but I don't even feel comfortable going inside, so I would not feel comfortable sending someone else in there," he said. "There is just nothing anyone else can do at this moment."