Fire started outside Danielle’s Café

  • Six businesses located at Fieldstone Village off East Main Street in Blue Ridge were destroyed by a fire that swept through the structure November 18.
    Six businesses located at Fieldstone Village off East Main Street in Blue Ridge were destroyed by a fire that swept through the structure November 18.
  • A huge cloud of black smoke rises into the air from the flames consuming Fieldstone Village.
    A huge cloud of black smoke rises into the air from the flames consuming Fieldstone Village.
  • Battling the fire at Fieldstone Village included protecting businesses that front on East First Street including Smokey Bear Cigars and Cafe
    Battling the fire at Fieldstone Village included protecting businesses that front on East First Street including Smokey Bear Cigars and Cafe
  • While not totally destroyed, three businesses, including The Bear Store, suffered varying degrees of damage from the Saturday, November 18, fire in downtown Blue Ridge.
    While not totally destroyed, three businesses, including The Bear Store, suffered varying degrees of damage from the Saturday, November 18, fire in downtown Blue Ridge.
  • Fire damage was obvious after the blaze was put out in downtown Blue Ridge.
    Fire damage was obvious after the blaze was put out in downtown Blue Ridge.
  • The fire scene off East Main Street in Blue Ridge was littered with debris and damage after the blaze was brought under control by members of three different departments. Joining 56 Fannin County fire fighters in the effort were representatives from both the Gilmer County and Union County department.
    The fire scene off East Main Street in Blue Ridge was littered with debris and damage after the blaze was brought under control by members of three different departments. Joining 56 Fannin County fire fighters in the effort were representatives from both the Gilmer County and Union County department.

    Investigators know the fire that raced through a multi-unit business complex in downtown Blue Ridge Saturday, November 18, started outside the building, but its cause is still undetermined.

    Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas said Monday morning the fire started behind Danielle’s Café around or in some trash cans.

    It then spread to a truck parked nearby. The heat from that fire was so intense it caused a nearby propane tank to vent, sending fumes under the building’s soffit. This provided the fuel that contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.

    Within six minutes after the fire started, flames were showing through the roof. It then spread rapidly through the attic spanning the building.

    “The dry conditions likely contributed to the spread of the initial fire,” Thomas said.

    The first firefighters arrived on the scene at 1:46 p.m., six minutes after they were dispatched by the 911 center.

    Thomas said commands were set up on all four sides of the blaze as firefighters attacked the fire itself and also worked to protect nearby structures, including those across Carter Street and above the building on East First Street. The fire totally destroyed six businesses just off East Main Street including; Silk Road Traveler, Danielle’s Café, Lazy Bear Candle and Decor, Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company, Unique Art & Design and the The Art House, Thomas said.

    Two other businesses, Big Frog Music and Afrika Corner, suffered light smoke damage and The Bear Store was partially damaged, Thomas said. The vinyl siding was also melted on a house located behind the building.

    A total of ten firefighting units, 81 firefighters and three ambulances were on the scene.

    Fannin County dispatched four engines, a tanker, the ladder truck and the air and light unit, along with three ambulances. Gilmer County sent a ladder truck and an engine and Union County responded with a ladder truck.

    A total of 56 firefighters responded from Fannin County, 15 from Union County and 10 from Gilmer County.

    Blue Ridge police officers and Fannin County deputies helped with traffic and crowd control.

    Thomas expressed his thanks to each and every one of the personnel who helped. He also thanked the downtown restaurants who fed the firefighters, most of whom were on the scene for almost seven hours.

    The fire chief said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.