A fire at popular Pigeon Forge western store Stages West early Thursday morning left the building and its roof “structurally weakened” but still intact, said Pigeon Forge Fire Department Capt. Erik Preske.
Firefighters were called to the store, 2765 Parkway, around 4:09 a.m., and the fire was out “right at dawn,” Preske said. Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Sevier County and Walden’s Creek volunteer fire departments assisted Pigeon Forge, he said.
Preske said the store’s sprinkler system “absolutely” played a part in containing the blaze. Preske said there is extensive smoke and water damage to the building.
The cause of the fire is unknown; investigators were still on the scene late Thursday morning, he said.
Store owner Marlene Houser said the store will remain closed “until we are able to assess the full extent of the damage.”
“We are still waiting to hear about what caused this event,” she said. “No one was injured, and for that, we are thankful.”
According to its Facebook page, the store is family owned and has been selling western apparel since 1975.
Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers