COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A massive fire destroyed a longtime Cobb County business Monday night.
The fire on South Cobb Drive started around 7 p.m. in the basement of a Cobb Pawn & Gold Inc., according to Cobb County Fire authorities.
The blaze was fueled further by propane tanks, fire officials said.
"Those tanks started venting and we had to evacuate the structure before we could put any water on the structure," said Lt. Dan Dupree with Cobb County Fire.
"I lived in it from three months old up until I got married at 19," said Ardice Shaffold, who says her family sold the building to the owners of the pawn shop. "It is nerve-racking. I know how these people are feeling. They are close friends of ours and I love them to death, and I don't know how they are going to get over this."
The pawn shop has been a staple in the community for 30 years.
Fire investigators say it started in the basement of this building, shortly after the owner closed up for the night.
They say it is too early to determine a cause.
WSBTV
