Gatlinburg fire: Body found in rubble after fire shuts down Parkway
One person was found dead in the rubble of a fire that broke out in downtown Gatlinburg early Sunday morning.
The fire, which was reported at 6:39 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Parkway, caused extensive damage to a block of businesses, the city's spokesperson said in a press release. The businesses include Cafe 420, Puckers Sports Grill and Gifts of Gatlinburg.
Parkway has reopened to traffic.
Sandy Fox, who was staying at the neighboring Historic Gatlinburg Inn, said the fire was not visible when she initially walked outside around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, but the building was in flames 15 minutes later. She left to connect with friends and said the blaze had spread substantially when she returned at 9 a.m.
"Everyone was pretty calm," Fox said, adding that she didn't believe anyone was evacuated but that visitors were warned to move their vehicles. Because hot spots kept flaring up, she was not able to retrieve her car and leave until about 11:30 a.m., she said.
During fire suppression efforts, crews found one person dead inside the structure, according to the press release. The identity of the individual has not yet been confirmed.
Crews from the Gatlinburg Fire Department fought the blaze with assistance from Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Pittman Center fire departments, the spokesperson stated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Fire crews still were working on hot spots Monday morning, the city's spokesperson stated. He said the owner of the damaged structure had a contractor demolishing the damaged building.
A section of Parkway was closed for demolition but reopened by early Monday afternoon. A portion of the southbound sidewalk will remain closed between Johnny Rockets and The Gatlinburg Inn until permanent fencing is installed by the property owner, the city spokesperson said.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Gatlinburg fire 10/9/2022: One body found after Parkway blaze
