By: Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor

A March 21 fire at Hardy destroyed a building that had been converted into apartments. Firefighters with Hardy, Highland and Ash Flat Fire Departments were on the scene of what was a fully involved structure fire when they arrived near the Griffin Pub just off Hwy. 175 at Hardy. The fire was at residences inside the former Jesus is Lord Ministries building and land office of the old Beach Club coming into Cherokee Village from the entrance at the Hardy end. One reader posted 10renters lost their homes in the fire. The building is reportedly owned by Russ Griffin. Hardy Police Chief Scott Rose said a camper or campers behind the location appear to have been where the fire began. Residents were able to get out of the location safely, but Hardy firefighters rescued dogs from the fire. While the building is a total loss, the departments were able to contain the fire to prevent the spread to other nearby structures. A Gofund Me account has been set up for res-ident Lacey Yancy and her fiancé and others involved as they just lost everything. Please consider donating to help the fam-ily at:https://www.gofundme.com/f/fire-re-lief-fund-for-the-har-dy-families?mem-ber=25852849&share-type=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=cus-tomer