JULIE WOLFE
11Alive.com
Reprinted with Permission

FAIRBURN, Ga. - "It started right there with just a spark," Clarence Robinson said, pointing to an upstairs window black with ash. In minutes, that spark engulfed three businesses and threatened to burn an entire stretch of historic buildings in Fairburn.

Witnesses, including Clarence, called 911 just after midnight. They reported flames inside the line of buildings along Highway 29 near West Campbellton. Sixty firefighters from Fairburn and surrounding areas doused the buildings, but the wind spread the fire and damaged ten businesses. Three of those businesses were severely damaged. They include an antiques store, a salon, and a pizza restaurant.

Fairburn Fire Department Chief Jody Weller said the age of the buildings worked against them.

"Should a building like this be constructed now, it would have to meet all necessary requirements, such as sprinklers," Weller explained. "When this building was built, it did meet requirements for that time."

Chief Weller's uniform was covered by a sheet of ice; icicles hung from his helmet. "It does add weight," Chief Weller said, "but [the] real problem was the wind. The fire just danced down that line of buildings."

The water that controlled the fire created a new problem for the morning rush hour drive: ice. Public Works crews were standing by to spread sand on the road to prevent any accidents.