Fire breaks out at former Atlanta Eagle location – Georgia Voice – Gay & LGBT Atlanta News

A fire broke out at the site of the former Atlanta Eagle on Thursday June 6.

The video shows flames coming from the roof of the former Atlanta Eagle building, designated a historic landmark in 2020 – the city’s first LGBTQ landmark.

On Friday morning, after the fire was extinguished, the monument – ​​although heavily damaged – was still standing. The causes of the fire are not yet known and no injuries have been reported at this time. The fire comes just weeks after a fire broke out at Blake’s on the Park.

“It doesn’t look like vandalism or arson or anything or malicious intent,” Mayor Andre Dickens said. Channel 2 Action News. The owner of Atlanta Eagle said it was a “sad loss for our community” but that Eagle customers were safe in their new location on Piedmont Avenue.

“I’m so full of emotions right now,” Ramey said Atlanta. “No one wants to see their history erased. So many people who have had a history there over the last 35 years are heartbroken tonight. »

“Yes, the Ponce Building is a historic landmark, but the Atlanta Eagle family is its people, and we are all safe tonight,” he continued. “That’s what I’m most grateful for right now. I had high hopes for the old building, as it could have become Atlanta’s gay history center or another landmark for the community.

Mayor Dickens told Channel 2 that once the fire investigation is complete, he wants to see someone move into the building and revitalize the historic district.