Fire crews have extinguished the massive fire that ignited early Tuesday afternoon at Savannah’s Keller Flea Market.
Emergency crews arrived to Keller Flea Market around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday. Parts of the roof of the main building of the flea market, which has been in existence more than 30 years, collapsed during the blaze, Chatham Emergency Services COO Phil Koster told WSAV, a Savannah NBC station.
#BREAKING: Fire crews respond to massive blaze at Keller's Flea Market in Savannah. https://t.co/FhjItlW1Cw pic.twitter.com/7nq9amDHSF
— Jackson Kurtz (@jacksonkurtz33) January 14, 2020
No people or animals were harmed or in the building at the time of the blaze, authorities told the news station.
Thank you to all the viewers sending in pictures. @WJCLNews is on the scene of a structure fire near Keller’s Flea Market on Highway 17. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/Do4ncGVapZ
— Frank Sulkowski WJCL (@TheBigGuyWJCL) January 14, 2020
Chatham County Police Department told the media that one of the northbound lanes at Highway 17 and the Highway 204 on-ramp are still closed after the fire. Crews in Savannah, Pooler, Garden City and Chatham County helped extinguish the fire, according to WSAV.
Police are directing traffic in both the north and southbound lanes, and there is a heavy police and fire presence near the blaze. Motorists are cautioned to avoid the area if possible.
According to reports, the Keller family announced it would be selling the beloved market to new owners in late 2018. The flea market, which is known as the largest on Georgia's coast, was bought by United Flea Markets. At the time of the sale, Rob Sieban, president and CEO of United Flea Markets, said he was thrilled to purchase the community fixture.
“It boasts tremendous charm, local flavor and a retro feel that’s very relevant right now. It’s also well established and treasured by the surrounding communities, making it a great fit for our family of properties.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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