ATF Investigating Downtown Gladewater Fire

GLADEWATER — Multiple fire departments contained a large structure fire in downtown Gladewater. According to KETK, the massive blaze caught several adjacent businesses on fire around 10:15 Wednesday night. Gladewater Police Chief Robert Vine said firefighters battled the fire at Tony’s Old South Restaurant, formerly known as The Fork Restaurant, which then spread to a business next door. Tony’s was only open for about a month before it burned down. Vine said the origin of the fire is a building on the corner, adjacent to Tony’s. The building was empty when the fire began. The Gregg County Fire Marshal’s Office said the ATF will take over the investigation.

A nearby store owner said an antique store was in the building and was being cleared out the day of the fire. Three buildings were destroyed, however, some items were saved from one of the structures before it burned. The cause of the fire has not been determined and no injuries were reported. Fire crews from Longview and Sabine also assisted with the blaze. SWEPCO was on scene to restore power to neighboring buildings.