SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Several area firefighters experienced heat exhaustion Wednesday evening while battling a fire at the Summerdale Flea Market.

“A pretty good fire,” is what Summerdale Fire Chief John Resmondo called the blaze, which was paged at approximately 6:30 p.m.

“It had been smoldering in the attic for quite a while,” said Resmondo of the used appliance store adjacent to Ala. Highway 59 where the fire began.

He said flames were visible when firefighters arrived.

According to Resmondo, Foley Fire Department was called for assistance.

“One or two from Foley Fire Department got heat exhaustion. We (Summerdale) had two or three, and one Foley firefighter got hit in the nose with a board and had to have stitches,” Resmondo said.

Medical personnel at the site gave firefighters stricken by the heat IV fluids, Resmondo said.

Firefighters suspect the fire resulted from an electrical problem, but as yet no official report has been issued by the State Fire Marshal.

“There were no signs of any foul play,” Resmondo said, noting that some firefighters remained at the scene until midnight.

Stores adjacent to the appliance store also sustained damage, and Resmondo said an Hispanic grocery store next to the appliance store sustained heavy smoke damage and a virtual total loss of inventory.