Barnesville restaurant owner struggling after massive downtown fire

Barnesville businesses destroyed in fire

Several Barnesville businesses were destroyed Monday night after a large fire tore through them. The cause is still under investigation. 

BARNESVILLE, Ga. - Several local businesses were burned to the ground in downtown Barnesville on Monday night, according to the local chamber of commerce and fire officials.

What we know:

According to Barnesville Fire Chief Kelvin Chute, the fire started around 11 p.m. Monday. Barnesville, Pike County and Lamar County firefighters responded to the scene. 

In total, five businesses were damaged, with two being total losses. Chief Chute said it took firefighters roughly five hours to extinguish the fire. 

City officials said the buildings had been standing since the 1800's. 

Chute said this is the first fire in downtown Barnesville in about 20 years. 

What they're saying:

The Barnesville-Lamar Chamber of Commerce posted on social media that the wind-driven blaze destroyed Mama D’s Family Food and Fun and Goggans Florist. The fire also caused severe damage to Everything Beautiful by Jenna J Designs and impacted several other nearby buildings on Market Street.

"These are not just storefronts. They are families, livelihoods, and years of dedication," the chamber posted. 

Mama D's acknowledged the hard work of first responders when announcing the restaurant was destroyed. "We have developed strong relationships with many people who have become part of our extended family. We appreciate the contributions of everyone who has helped make Mama D's what it is," the business shared in a statement.

The owner of Mama D’s, Delaina Gresham, told FOX5 she got the heartbreaking call from an employee around 11 p.m.
 
"He called me and said, ‘Mama, it’s gone,’ and I drove up and I just, I couldn’t believe it," Gresham said.
 
Gresham shared that she had owned the business for only 7 months before it was destroyed.

"I feel like I have lost my child," Gresham added. 

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.