American Legion post destroyed in massive fire

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - An American Legion post was destroyed in a massive fire early Wednesday morning. 

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The 911 call came in around 3:50 a.m. about a large fire at American Legion Post 207 on Pine Valley Road. Officials said once firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw large flames shooting from the building.  Once they were able to make entry, they determined the ceiling was a "tongue and groove" ceiling which made it difficult to fight. 

Firefighters also saw burglar bars on the window, which was a major safety hazard. Firefighters then started an aerial attack of the building. 

Veterans who've been members of post 207 for years told FOX 5 Portia Bruner the building, which was built on Pine Valley Road in the 1940s, was home to lots of wonderful memories.

"Some really great guys have come in and out of this building over the years – some who are with us and some who are no longer with us. We do a lot here to work with the veterans at the VA and we even have the Boy Scouts come here to work on projects," Army veteran Allen Rolader said. "This is an important place and it must be rebuilt."

Pam Major told Bruner she was just at the post last night playing bingo.

"We had a good time and everything was fine when we left last night, so to come here this morning and see the building look like this just really breaks your heart," said Major, who's been a member for two years.

There's no word on the cause of the fire.  

No one was inside at the time.  

Donations can be mailed to the American Legion Post 0207 at:

P.O. Box 524

Tucker, GA 30084