Fire Destroys TV Store; Owner Collapses, Dies

A storefront seen weekly on the television series “Northern Exposure” was destroyed by fire, and its owner collapsed and died.

The building occupied by Village Pizza was part of the Main Street scene shown in opening credits for the quirky CBS series, canceled in 1995 after a five-year run.

The two-story, wood-frame building, about 100 years old, was a total loss after Monday’s fire. The volunteer fire department kept flames from spreading even though its nearest neighbor was only about a foot away.

The owner, Harry Balmer, about 60, collapsed and died while running about a half-block from the business, Fire Chief Gerald Tritt said. He apparently suffered a heart attack.

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