Several acts of bravery were shown early Monday morning when a fire nearly destroyed the Midtown Shopping Center in Tazewell.

The call came out on reports of the fire at 4:21 AM, firefighters arrived at 1508 North Broad Street at 4:23 AM.

Thirteen firefighters with TNT Fire Department worked together to efficiently extinguish a fire in the computer store and kept it from spreading throughout the entire building.

If the fire had spread, it would have got into Jerry’s Hardware and Seelhorst Veterinary Clinic.

Both the hardware store and the vet clinic suffered slight water and smoke damage to the rear of the building while the rest of the structure suffered heavy smoke damage.

The fire department helped save one dog and three cats from the vet clinic. The dog suffered heavy smoke inhalation and with the assistance of Dr. Seelhorst, paramedics and firefighters, the dog is now in good condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

“The paramedics allowed us to use oxygen and work with the dog to make sure he was in good health,” Chief Tandy Derreberry of the TNT Fire Department said, “The dog is actually the blood donor for the clinic.”

Although Jerry’s Hardware suffered smoke and water damage, they still opened for business Monday morning.

“We will clean up and open as usual,” owner and manager Jerry Beeler said.

According to New Tazewell Police Officer Billy Davidson, an investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched with a focus on electrical cords.

The Tazewell Police Department, New Tazewell Police Department and officers from the Tazewell-New Tazewell Fire Department will conduct the investigation.