Three Hampton businesses were damaged by an overnight fire that tore through the Henry County city’s downtown area.
No injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out shortly before midnight Wednesday night along East Main Street in buildings that are more than 100 years old.
The blaze heavily damaged Saki Steakhouse as well as D&G Exterminating on East Main Street, Channel 2 Action News reported.
A third business, Smokin’ Swine BBQ, was also damaged, but was saved by a fire wall.
“The fire wall is holding,” Smokin’ Swine owner Kelly Bartram told Channel 2. “We’re looking at smoke damage, water damage.”
The roofs of the steakhouse and exterminating company collapsed, according to Hampton Mayor Steve Hutchison.
“It’s a very sad day for the City of Hampton,” Hutchison said from the fire scene early Thursday. “We’ve lost two of our major restaurants here in town. This is going to affect the local economy here in Hampton, because these restaurants are packed on Friday nights.”
Hutchison said the buildings that burned were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Fire crews remained on the scene dousing hot spots after daybreak Thursday.
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