Historic Bunn Building in Waycross catches fire

WAYCROSS, Ga. — A historic building in southeast Georgia caught fire Thursday afternoon.

The fire was contained to the roof of the Bunn Building, according to the Waycross Downtown Development Authority.

PHOTOS: Historic Bunn Building in Waycross catches fire

“It was pretty scary for a while,” said Fer-Rell Malone Sr.

Huge flames and thick, black smoke were pouring out of the Bunn Building in downtown Waycross on Thursday afternoon.

Nearly 60 firefighters battled the fire, and worked most of the day and into the night to put out hot spots.

Dozens of people in the community showed up, worried about a building that’s filled with so many memories.

“It was just heartbreaking. I mean, so much history, just going up like that,” said Samantha Capshaw, a neighbor.

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The building, located at 513 Elizabeth St. in Waycross, once housed a theatre, pharmacy and a National Five and Dime Store and other businesses, according to the University of North Florida's Digital Commons.

The building is five stories, was built in 1912 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. UNF's Digital Commons said the building had the first “fireproof” reinforced concrete building in the region.

Firefighters said they were really concerned at times about the water on top of the roof and the possibility of it collapsing because of how old it is.

At times onlookers could see water pouring from the roof. This week, construction started on the building.

On Wednesday, the Downtown Development Committee said renovation on that building was going to transform downtown Waycross.

While firefighter say they are still trying to figure out the exact cause, they believe it could have started during the renovation.

“It’s the community, and everyone is so concerned,” said Capshaw.

Firefighters said the owner of the building plans on having his workers back in the building Friday to continue their work.

One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion but is ok.

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Cox Media Group