FORSYTH, Ga. — A fire in downtown Forsyth destroyed the Branded Starr Boutique, a beloved in the Monroe County community.
The fire started around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, and crews worked until 8 a.m. to put out the blaze.
Battalion Chief AJ Rollins says he worked all three fires in the past years. The first happened in March of 2012, when Grits Cafe burned down.
“Responding to all three fires - they were not all the same but, in some ways, they were,” Rollins said.
Mayor Eric Wilson says it shocked the community.
“It threatened that whole block, but due to good response from the fire department and the fire walls on either side of the building, it was contained,” Wilson said.
Rollins says the Grits Cafe fire was caused by greasy rags that generated heat, but six years later in April 2018, flames claimed their next victim at Flowers by Helen; they've since rebuilt. The flower shop fire and last night's boutique blaze were both caused by electrical problems.
“They all happened on the same block so many people would say 'What's the common factor?' We're not saying any of them were common. Two were electrical, one was caused by rag,” Rollins said.
Wilson says Branded Starr was important to the people in Forsyth.
“Branded Starr has been a great downtown business; they've really contributed to our downtown since they've been here the past few years,” Wilson said.
Steve Coleman owns Steve Coleman and Associates. It's just three doors down from Branded Starr, and he says he thinks about his building catching on fire most days.
“It's sad that this is the third building that burned down on this block,” Coleman said.