Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes.

Councilmember Tommy Wells was on the scene of Wednesday’s huge fire at Frager’s Hardware Store, located in the ward he represents.

“It’s devastating,” Wells told DCist of the fire. “Frager’s is a family member for all of us. Frager’s historically hires everyone’s kids for the summer. Frager’s donates to all the charities … around the neighborhood. And it is our neighborhood and it’s one of our neighborhood gathering centers. So it’s a major loss. “

Of the hundreds of people gathered near the fire, many expressed that they would rally around the historic Capitol Hill hardware store. Wells said the same.

“This is truly a neighborhood store. And we will rally around whatever they need,” Wells said. “I hate to say this, but it looks like a total loss. I don’t see what we save for this.”

He added, “We’ll do whatever the family needs us to do.”