Two separate fires in the Village of Herkimer has closed the major east/west and north/south roadways. An early morning first in a bar on South Washington Street in Herkimer has caused Route 5 to be closed between Main Street and King Street. While fire fighters were working that blaze, fire was reported on Route 28, just a few miles away. A smoky fire has damaged the business at that address and caused Route 28 to be closed from German Street to Shell Bush Road.

The first fire destroyed the Ole VI at 118 South Washington Street. Fire companies from across the valley assisted Herkimer with that downtown blaze. The simultaneous fires presented a challenge. More companies were called in to deal with the fire at the Route 28 Altrux, a truck sales dealer. A vehicle reportedly caught fire inside a garage.

No injuries have been reported at either location.

It has been an extraordinarily busy 48 hours for local firemen. Earlier Wednesday morning, fire destroyed a home at 12005 Woodhull Road in Forestport. Tuesday morning, a large fire leveled a home just off Route 49 in Verona.