ATLANTA, Texas - An investigation will begin this weekend into what caused Thursday's fire that destroyed three historic downtown buildings, an official said.
"It's too hot to start the investigation right now," Robin Betts, Atlanta fire chief and fire marshal, said late Friday.
"There are still hot spots and smoldering throughout all buildings. Captain Greg Restelle and Assistant Chief Ricky Draper are doing a preliminary study, but it's inconclusive at this time. We still have fireman and units on scene to prevent flare-ups. I'm headed straight to the scene and will begin the investigation this weekend."
This week, Betts was attending a mandatory fire chief school in Hunstville, Texas.
When the fire occurred on Thursday, City Manager David Cockrell urged Betts not to leave chief school or he would have to repeat the whole week later.
Cockrell, Betts and fire officials stayed in communication by phone.
"Ricky (Draper) and Greg (Restelle) did a great job; they overachieved and I'm very proud of them," Betts said. "I'm also proud of the relationships we've developed in the community and the communities around us. I received no less than four texts from other counties asking if we need help. We happened to have plenty of local help, which we are so grateful for. They helped us and we will help them if they ever need it."
Atlanta's community spirit and the surrounding area's outpouring of support also offered some teaching moments for those in Betts' fire chief class held in Hunstville.
The fire chief school officials let Betts use the experience as a teaching tool, and he shared photos from Facebook, which amazed the other chiefs who hadn't seen such a sense of community that was displayed.
Bloomburg, Linden, Cass County, Liberty-Eylau, as well as four Texarkana, Texas, units answered the call and helped fight the fire.
Thursday's fire was first noticed coming from the top of the East Texas Tumblers building, a gym at 116 Hiram St. The building 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.
The Rabbit Patch sustained smoke and water damage. The local eatery is 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.