Fire in South Albany destroys Family Dollar store

July 23, 2024

Matthew Crumley, Brian Roche,

SOUTH ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Fire Department is investigating an early morning fire that completely destroyed a local business.

Albany firefighters got the call just a little before 1:30 am Tuesday morning about a fire at the Family Dollar in South Albany.

According to the fire department, there was heavy smoke and fire on the left side of the building with the roof partially collapsed.

And, Dougherty County first responders later showed up with a backhoe and an excavator as they worked until sunrise to put the fire out a little before seven this morning.

Crews had been investigating and putting out smoldering portions of the building all morning.

And we caught up with a couple of onlookers earlier in the day who would do grocery shopping at the family dollar, and they’re crushed to see the fire level the store.

“Well, first of all, I was on my way round here to get some milk for cereal, and I was really devastated to see what had happened during the night and the first thing hit my mind was all the families that’s going to be affected because these people don’t have jobs to go to this morning. I’m just hoping that no bodies were found in this fire alive,” said Robert Hines.

“It hurts me to my heart. I’m glad that no bodies were found alive in there, burning alive,” said Ashanti Alexander.

“And, we hope that the company sees fit to rebuild right here on this corner, because we need this store in this area for our community,” said Hines.

We were able to speak with the fire department earlier this evening about some other aspects of the fire.

Right now the building is considered a total loss, and the state arson investigator was called late this morning to investigate the site.

CBS 44 met with the Albany Fire Department late Tuesday afternoon for statements on the fire.

We’ll have this for you tomorrow at noon, here on CBS 44 News.

Brian Roche reporting.