Wed
Feb 28 2007
04:01 pm
Downtown fire
By: R. Neal

The downtown Blabbers are reporting a fire at the World Grotto.

UPDATE: They say it was started by microwave in an upstairs apartment, and the fire set off the sprinklers in the World Grotto causing massive water damage. Someone said it is a "total loss". No media reports yet on what's going on.

UPDATE: KNS files this report. It says the fire was in an apartment above Oodles, some apartments have "heavy water damage," but it "didn't extend to the restaurant downstairs."

UPDATE: A new eyewitness report at the Blab (see page 2) contradicts the KNS report. They say the Grotto has extensive water damage and will be closed for at least a week. (There's a crazy-ass rumor, too.)

MORE: Page 2 of the Blab report now has photos by Ian of the damage that didn't extend downstairs.

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smalc's picture

On a similar note...

Submitted by smalc on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:06pm.

Is there some kind of massive fire in Blount County? I can see from my office high atop Industrial Heights (Amherst&Middlebrook area) massive amounts of smoke all afternoon coming from that direction.

R. Neal's picture

Just went out and looked.

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:14pm.

Just went out and looked. Lots of smoke over towards Chilhowee Mt. or somewhere in that vicinity. Turned on the scanner and heard some chatter on the Blount Co. fire channel about all units cleared from a brush fire and something about Townsend units being on the scene. Maybe that's it?

smalc's picture

Maybe so. You can see some

Submitted by smalc on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:24pm.

Maybe so. You can see some smoke from the Look Rock webcam:
(link...)

Number9's picture

That is a big fire

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:29pm.

Wow, I hope that can be contained quickly. It is huge.

redmondkr's picture

I saw something on the news

Submitted by redmondkr on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:33pm.

I saw something on the news about a planned burn in the Smokys the other day but I didn't notice the day or time.

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R. Neal's picture

There was something about it

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:35pm.

There was something about it in the Maryville paper, but it was going to be on the NC side near Cataloochee Valley. Not sure you'd be able to see that from here, but maybe. The smoke I'm seeing looks to be on this side of Chilhowee Mt.

R. Neal's picture

OK, just called the Blount

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 5:39pm.

OK, just called the Blount Co. Fire Protection District. The brush fire was on Lover's Lane in Townsend. Approx. 20 acres were involved, producing a lot of smoke that folks around town reported seeing today. The fire is contained and under control.

Map

StaceyDiamond's picture

Market Square

Submitted by StaceyDiamond on Wed, 2007/02/28 - 11:36pm.

I was on the Square. It appeared to be an apt above the Grotto and it looked like some art and furniture from the Grotto was setting outside to dry. Nobody seemed that stressed but firetrucks were surrounding the square just in case the fire spread. I never saw any smoke. Stacey

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