The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

FURTHER UPDATE (9-26-12):  Centerville Fire Chief Mike Bogle issued a press release on Wednesday regarding Tuesday's fire in Centerville.

Bogle stated that an investigation into the blaze at The Gypsy Quarter at 218 East State Street revealed that a contractor had been doing some metal work on the roof of the building, and sparks from grinding equipment

ignited the fire.

The structure is a total loss, and several adjoining businesses suffered smoke and water damage.

---------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Centerville Fire Chief Mike Bogle told KTVO Tuesday night that the boutique blaze has been ruled accidental.

He said the fire started in the roof area where a contractor had been doing some work.

The investigation into the exact cause continues. Bogle said he hopes to have more information to release on Wednesday.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, come firefighters remaine on the scene of the fire at The Gypsy Quarter.

---------------------------------------------------------

The owner of a Centerville boutique destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon says she will be back in business as soon as possible.

The Gypsy Quarter just off the square in downtown Centerville caught fire early just after noon on Tuesday.

At its height, the blaze could be seen from over 10 miles away.

The store owned by Debbie Robinson and Julie Mihalovich, has been open for about 18 months.

Robinson talked to KTVO as she watched firefighters extinguish the blaze.

She says she lost her entire inventory, but she did manage to get the cash drawer out.

The building is a complete loss, but Robinson says that it's far from the end of the Gypsy Quarter.

She and her partner have already decided to find a new storefront on the square because she loves her business and believes that it's an important part of the downtown shopping scene.

She did express concern for the shop's ten employees, who will be without a job until she can re-open.

Fire Departments from across Southeast Iowa battled the fire for several hours Tuesday afternoon, including Albia, Corydon, Mystic and Cincinnati.

Tuesday's fire is the second major blaze in Centerville this week.