Destructive Atlanta blaze claims three businesses in downtown

ATLANTA, Texas — Residents here woke Thursday to the sound of fire trucks coming from all directions heading to the heart of downtown where the oldest, most historic buildings are located.

With only a four-minute window between the 911 call at 8:34 a.m. and arrival on scene at 8:38 a.m., the Atlanta Fire Department knew that its two units were outmatched and called in reinforcement.

Bloomburg, Linden, Cass County, Liberty-Eylau, as well as four Texarkana, Texas, units answered the call.

The fire was first noticed coming from the top of the East Texas Tumblers building, a gym at 116 Hiram St. The building, owned by Matt McClure, was gutted by fire.

Next door, Allday’s Department Store was also engulfed and deemed a total loss. The building, erected in the mid-19th century, was one of the first businesses in town. It had been in continuous operation until just a few years ago when a hair-weaving salon opened inside the vacant building, still owned by the Allday family.

On the other side of the Allday building, Cobblestone Home Interior and Gifts,

owned by Judy Pitts, is also a complete loss. Firemen and community residents rushed inside to help save the inventory there before the fire could spread through the wall.

Next on the block, at the corner of Williams and Hiram, is The Rabbit Patch, a local eatery decorated with old memorabilia from the town – old pictures and letterman jackets, etc. Once Tri-State Drugs, it was a soda shop in the 1950s where everyone loved to hang out.

Rabbit Patch owner Jan Carter said, “We did manage to get all of the memorabilia out. The upstairs is only used for storage by building owner Kathleen Verschoyle.” The Rabbit Patch sustained smoke and water damage.

Residents of this small town of less than 6,000 are known for coming together to help their neighbors, and a lot of the population was downtown Thursday morning.

Tables were set up on the opposite sidewalk with water and snacks for the firefighters. Strangers worked together with firemen to help clear inventory out of two of the buildings. The inventory was placed along sidewalks until Price Hardware brought a trailer to secure it.

This isn’t the first time the town has come together like this. Just weeks ago, the True Believers Family Life Center, a block down on Hiram, burned.

Mayor Travis Ransom refused to speculate as to whether arson has played a part in these recent fires.

“I try not to assume the worst until the investigation is complete,” he said. “These buildings here are old; it could be electrical … we just don’t know yet.”

“This is horrific for Atlanta,” said longtime resident Ted Brabham, owner of Grandma’s Attic Antique Store across the street from the Rabbit Patch, echoing what others had been saying all day.

Firefighters worked after sunset Thursday to continue battling hot spots and smoldering areas.

Staff photo by Neil Abeles ■ Firefighters battle a destructive blaze Thursday in downtown Atlanta, Texas. Firefighters from Cass and Bowie counties joined the daylong fray. The blaze claimed a gym, a salon and a home interior business. A restaurant received water and smoke damage.

Photo by Kate Stow ■ The Allday’s Department Store building was deemed a total loss after a fire swept through three downtown businesses Thursday in Atlanta, Texas.

Staff photo by Neil Abeles ■ Firefighters organize hoses while fighting a blaze Thursday in Atlanta, Texas.

Photo by Kate Stow ■ A firefighter battles a blaze Thursday in downtown Atlanta, Texas.

Staff photo by Neil Abeles ■ An Atlanta, Texas, resident hugs a firefighter in appreciation of his efforts Thursday in Atlanta. Tables were set up on the opposite sidewalk of the fire with water and snacks for the firefighters. The community worked together with firemen to help clear inventory out of two of the buildings that were in danger.