On an otherwise typical day at the University of Georgia, a huge blaze broke out on the roof of Brooks Hall, the building that houses the Terry College of Business. The fire, which sent black clouds of smoke billowing over the campus and downtown Athens, started about 1:30 p.m. in the attic. The five-story, landmark building was evacuated and there were no injuries to students, teachers or employees. But one firefighter was taken to the hospital after being overcome by heat and smoke and another suffered a back injury.
Many inside the building that day thought that the alarms were a fire drill.
Far from just a drill, it was a major conflagration that took more than 100 firefighters using 1.5 million gallons over six hours to fully extinguish. At the time local firefighters said the fire was the largest structure fire in the county’s history. The 20th anniversary of the fire is Saturday.
The fire - apparently started accidentally by workmen welding on the roof - ravaged the 71-year-old building, destroyed the research of most of the Terry School of Business’ graduate students and cost the school’s professors years of class materials.
By daybreak the next day the flames were extinguished, but firefighters remained on the scene in case of flare-ups.
Staffers and students were eager to assess damage and try to salvage what they could. but the only faculty member allowed in the building the next day was Dean Albert W. Niemi Jr., who brought out six paintings on loan to the university museum from his ground-floor office. He said they were worth $200,000.
“My office was a mess, ” he told the AJC at the time. “Ceiling tiles on the floor, everything on my desk was soaked. I’m so happy I was able to salvage the artwork. It looks like once it dries it’ll be OK.” The pictures were placed in the sunshine outside the building.
“We’re not going to grieve any more over Brooks Hall, ” said University President Charles Knapp.
The roof was destroyed and the top three floors sustained extensive damage.
“As of today we’re looking forward. Rebuilding Brooks Hall is the No. 1 priority of the university,” he added.
Indeed, a year later a shiny copper roof has replaced the charred husk left behind.
The restoration project ended up costing an estimated $9.4 million.
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