FAIRVIEW, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Quick action by an employee and firefighters helped prevent major damage after a fire broke out late Wednesday at the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Store in Fairview, according to the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched to the store after an employee who was still on site noticed flames while leaving the property and called 911, officials said.

Fire Chief Scott Jones was the first to arrive and reported visible fire on the exterior of the structure. Additional crews arrived shortly afterward and were able to quickly bring the fire under control.

Officials said the early discovery of the fire likely prevented a more serious outcome.

“Had this employee not noticed the fire or had this fire started after they had left, the outcome would have definitely been much worse,” the department said in a statement.

The fire caused minimal damage to the outside of the building and did not impact the interior of the store, firefighters said. Working alongside the farm’s owners and staff, crews isolated the affected section of the building to protect inventory and allow the business to remain open.

Fire officials credited the prompt 911 call and rapid response from crews with preventing significant structural damage. The cause of the fire has not been released.