OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL)— A massive fire has devastated the headquarters of Stone Martin Builders in downtown Opelika.
Around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, police and firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke in the 400 block of 8th Street. Opelika Fire Inspector Bob Parsons described the challenges posed by the densely packed, interconnected old structures in the area.
“The density down here is challenging. All these old structures are interconnected. We were super concerned about the fire spreading from the original building,” Parsons explained.
Firefighters and police promptly evacuated a nearby residence and checked surrounding buildings to ensure no one was inside. They also called in mutual aid from the Auburn City Fire Department.
“With a second ladder and pumper on the scene, the crew rained water down on the top of the building and were able to keep it from spreading,” Parsons said.
Allison Johnson, owner of the nearby Emerald Cove Early Learning daycare, expressed relief that the fire did not spread further.
“I hated that it happened to them, but I’m so glad it didn’t come this far to affect our children because we are still trying to provide a place for them,” Johnson said.
The intense heat compromised the structure, posing a significant challenge for investigators trying to determine the cause of the fire. It is currently too dangerous to enter the building.
“It looks terrible, and it is terrible, and I just hate it for the business here - but at the same time, thankful it’s not as bad as it could’ve been. What you see now is some heavy equipment that is going to push the façade in because that façade is likely to fall out into the street unless we do something about it,” Parsons said.
This is the second major fire in downtown Opelika. In 2022 Ma Fia's Pizzeria burned to the ground. While the historic buildings contribute to downtown's charm, they also pose a fire risk.
“The inspections division is very present in our downtown area. We routinely walk and check these buildings and look for any fire or life safety issues that may come up,” Parsons added.
Stone Martin Builder executives were on the scene, surveying the devastation. Their next steps remain unclear.
The investigation is ongoing.
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