Threatens Nearby City Hall At Fairyland
posted August 18, 2007
A towering fire destroyed the Mountain Market at Lookout Mountain, Ga., on Friday night.
Lookout Mountain, Ga., Fire Chief Wallace Taylor said the blaze threatened the town's city hall, which is just 15-20 feet away.
"We got help through Walker County Mutual Aid and they were able to keep city hall from burning," he said.
Chief Taylor said the fire was first spotted by Police Capt. Adam Hurst around 10 p.m. He drove by the market, then went to the town's south limits on Lula Lake Road. When he returned about six minutes later and got near the Fairyland Elementary School, he saw a glare in the sky and summoned help.
Chief Taylor said the fire apparently began at the rear of the market near a natural gas line. He said the gas line apparently ruptured and the flames burst out of control.
He said an awning melted on a nearby row of small businesses, but there was no other damage.
Chief Taylor said Scottie Maclellan owns the Mountain Market building as well as the nearby business block.
Gene Williams was leasing the grocery store and had operated it for a number of years.
There was also a window and blind business that burned along with the grocery, Chief Taylor said.
Mayor Tommy Gifford said at one point it looked like the flames might shift toward city hall. He said computers and valuable papers were removed as a precaution.
The flames also did not reach a nearby gas station and convenience store.
Those helping fight the fire included units from Lookout Mountain, Ga., Lookout Mountain, Tn., West Brow and Walker County.
Firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night and into the morning.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |