THE fate of Inglewood’s historic Jennings store damaged by fire last August could be decided within days.
Test samples for an asbestos  audit were taken last Friday from the Brooke Street ruins and the rear section of 1866 building that survived the fire.
The facade and sections of the triple-brick walls were knocked down when the parapet threatened to topple across Brooke Street in the hours after the August 27 blaze.
Joe Price, of Bendigo-based asbestos management and audit company Safety Systems, said results would take about a week.
Owner David Oakley said he hoped to at least save the rear section of the 1866 triple-brick building that could be hit with a demolition order.
He even mused that an asbestos all-clear could allow the bricks to be used to rebuild the front section of the store.
Mr Oakley, 87, resumed trading within hours of the fire with customers continuing to come from across the region to buy chickens. The recent egg shortage has spurred sales.
He has owned the Brooke Street site and operated his business selling chickens and other rural supplies for more than 50 years.
Protective fencing was placed in front of  rubble of the Brooke Street property in the hours after the authorised demolition. Loddon Shire Council last year said it was working with Mr Oakley “who will be required under the building regulations  to obtain a building permit to carry out the clean-up  and any further works if required, to make the building structurally sound.
“The works will require a registered building practitioner in the category of demolition. 
“These contractors are experienced in the required disposal of the demolition materials,” the council said.
Jennings Stores traded in Inglewood from 1860 to 1968. Mr Oakley has been operating his business since the late 1970s.