State Fire Marshal joins fire investigation at Canton Trade Days

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CANTON, TX (KLTV) - The State Fire Marshal has joined the investigation of what caused an overnight fire at Canton Trade Days on Saturday.

The fire destroyed more than 6 buildings in the center of The Mountain shopping area. The Mountain said this is one of three fires at their grounds within the last year. Several shop owners at the scene said they are very upset about this loss.

Investigators have only been able to say their investigation is ongoing.

Canton Fire Chief Bud Sanford said there are several teams working to find out what caused the early morning blaze.

"This morning, with the State Fire Marshal's Office, we had a dog team out there," said Sanford. "They try to determine accelerants and stuff like that."

The Van Zandt Fire Marshal's office said it is too early to determine whether or not this is arson-related incident, but they have sent several samples off to be tested.

The results of those samples will be available in the next few weeks.

"We have a few hits in that area right there, which could be anything," said Sanford. "It was such an intense fire with the structures involved up there and the material that they were made out of. The area that we believe is the origin has a lot of major destruction to it."

The entire Mountain shopping area has been blocked off until the investigation is complete.

Meanwhile, The Mountain said business on First Monday weekends will continue as usual.