Fire Lights up Downtown Baxter, Tennessee, Businesses Destroyed

Crews are working to clear debris from a large fire that broke out in downtown Baxter, Tennessee.

Fire Chief Chris Holmes says a block of Broad Street was on fire March 14, destroying or damaging at least a third of downtown.

Holmes says the blaze was too large for local firefighters to contain, so officials from neighboring Cookeville, Livingston and Putnam County were called to help.

Holmes says at least three businesses have been destroyed by the fire – a restaurant, a furniture store and a grocery store.

No injuries have been reported.

A person walking by the furniture store noticed smoke. When firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in flames. The cause is under investigation.