St. Paul fire officials said Friday that they won't be able to determine the cause of the fire that destroyed a neighborhood market and killed a butcher.

A fire ravaged Stasny's Food Market at 1053 Western Av. N. early Thursday. Flames swept through the family-owned market, causing the first floor to collapse and spread to the basement, where firefighters found the body of Stu Gerr, 77.

Rather than drive three hours to his home in Deer River, Minn., Gerr frequently stayed overnight at the shop when he worked late.

Investigators don't suspect foul play, but probably won't be able to determine the fire's cause because there was too much damage, St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said Friday.

Mary Lynn Smith • 612-673-4788