Fire has destroyed much of a popular flea market in west Georgia.

Flames raced through the West Georgia Flea Market in Carroll County early Sunday. Many vendors lost everything, but County Fire Chief Tim Dyer said crews managed to save about 80 percent of the market.

People from west Georgia and eastern Alabama have been visiting the market for years. To many it's known as the "Dirt Mall" for its open-air stalls.

Vendor Joe George told WSB-TV that he and a partner ran a record store in the market, but they lost everything.

The county fire chief said motorists saw flames in the early morning hours and notified authorities. The blaze shut down a highway and kept fire crews busy for hours.

Tags: fire, dirt mall, West Georgia Flea Market, flea market