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A major fire erupted Monday afternoon at the historic Floyd County Courthouse in downtown Rome, Georgia, engulfing parts of the 1893 building and prompting immediate evacuations and traffic advisories.
The blaze was reported around 2:20 p.m. on March 23, 2026, with the Rome Police Department issuing an urgent alert on Facebook: "AVOID 5th AVENUE at Tribune and Government Plaza - fire at Historic Courthouse." Authorities confirmed that all employees and occupants were safely evacuated from the structure, with no immediate reports of injuries.
The Rome-Floyd Fire Department responded swiftly, battling visible flames and thick black smoke billowing from the building. Eyewitness accounts and video footage showed intense fire activity, particularly on the roof and upper sections. By approximately 3:20 p.m., crews had brought most of the flames under control, though a tower ladder and multiple ground lines continued to douse the structure with water to prevent flare-ups.
The courthouse, originally constructed in 1893, no longer serves as the primary judicial building but currently houses county offices, including a tag office. It has been undergoing a $4 million renovation project, approved as part of a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) initiative to address deferred maintenance, safety concerns, and functionality while preserving its historical significance. Recent work included brick repointing, gutter repairs, and exterior improvements, with crews from Midwest Maintenance, Inc. active on site in recent weeks.
Sources speaking to 11Alive reporter Cody Alcron indicated that workers had been welding on the roof shortly before the fire broke out, though the official cause remains under investigation by fire officials.
Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord confirmed the safe evacuation of all personnel. The incident disrupted downtown traffic, with motorists urged to seek alternate routes. Updates from local media, including 11Alive, WDEF, FOX 5 Atlanta, and Northwest Georgia News, described the building as "fully engulfed" at the height of the fire, highlighting the rapid response to protect the landmark structure.
No further details on the extent of damage or potential restart of renovations were immediately available, as firefighting operations continued into the afternoon. Authorities have not yet released an official determination on the fire's origin.
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