6:05 p.m. Firefighters have just arrived at the Carmel Corn Cottage building in downtown Nashville, as smoke was seen rising from the roof. The possible fire was called in just before 6 p.m.
Reporter Suzannah Couch sent these photos from the scene.
6:28 p.m. Firefighters have been inside the structure fighting the flames for at least 10 minutes. Almost every department has sent manpower so far. There’s also a crowd of onlookers, about 60 people with their phones out, taking photos and video.
Carmel Corn Cottage owner Jim Rispoli was among them. He said he’d received several calls and texts about it at home and raced back downtown.
The business had been operating in the building for at least 20 years, and Rispoli was in the process of buying the building, which had been for sale. He had planned to close on the purchase tomorrow or the next day, he said.
As he watched firefighters work, Rispoli said he was thinking about all the popcorn he had been making in preparation for the start of the fall tourist season. It had taken him a month already, he said.
The flames appeared to not be growing, but Chief of Police Ben Seastrom said the next challenge will be to make sure that neighboring buildings are safe. Shops are extremely close together or connected, which causes concern for the whole block.
7 p.m. Firefighters have busted out a window to help clear smoke out of the structure. They’ve also cut into the roof. Flames had been visible through the window, but they didn’t appear to be exiting the building.
A two-story complex that houses the Men’s Toy Shop below and apartments above is next door. Another building that houses a craft shop is on the other side. Neither appeared to be affected at this time.
7:20 p.m. Bruce Williams and Larry Hawkins, who co-own the building where the Carmel Corn Cottage is, were in the crowd watching with everyone else. The general sentiment among the onlookers was relief to see that more buildings didn’t go down with this one and that no one was harmed.
The building was still standing, but it was blackened inside.
Williams said they’ll be talking with their insurance company tomorrow, but their plan right now is to rebuild, as it’s a prime location along Van Buren Street.
They said they felt bad for Rispoli, as they know these are the months that carry shop owners into the spring.
This post will be updated.
