Wed., June 24, 2009 9:10am (EDT)

Fire Strikes Athens Landmark

By Edgar Treiguts

Updated: 4 years ago

ATHENS, Ga.  —   Reports are coming in this morning of a major fire at The Georgia Theatre. The building is a converted cinema which is now used as a music venue in town, and considered an Athens landmark. Many well known bands have played there, including REM and the B-52’s.

Witnesses tell the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the fire began around 7am and appeared major. The president of the Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce tells the paper the blaze appeared to have burned through the roof of the theater. In his words, Doc Eldridge says the building "is gone."