Augusta firefighters raced to the 900 block of Jones Street, where a structure fire was reported around 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, and it appears they arrived in time to isolate the fire to one section of the second floor and squelch the flames before the ceiling and roof became involved.
Several windows are broken out of the second floor of the structure, but from the street, it does not appear the roof was affected.
According to employees of Naaiya’s Antiques & Flowers, the longtime business on the first floor suffered water damage, but the Fire Marshall has ruled the building safe for the business to continue to operate.
Property records show that the building is owned by Malisa Copenhaver, wife of former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, and property records show that the building has been in her family (Boardman) since the 1930s.
According to Deke Copenhaver, his wife does not want to make a public statement about the fire, but that they are “very optimistic” the building can be repaired and made whole.
The brick and stucco building is definitely historic due to its age, but not much is known about what the building was used for in the past.
According to the Historical Marker Database, that location is the site of the Planter’s Hotel, which burned in 1839. The Marquis de LaFayette was entertained there when he visited Augusta in March 1825. When he arrived, LaFayette was greeted by a procession of soldiers, musicians, clergymen and citizens. Many festivities were planned to honor him.
However, due to the fact street names in downtown Augusta have changed over the years, property records only go back to 1910.
The records show that the city of Augusta owned the building in 1910, but there is nothing noting what the building was used for, other than it was later the “Oxford Shop” and a clothing store.
It is believed that the current building was constructed around 1906, but there is no cornerstone on the building showing a date.
While details are murky as to the building’s history, it is known that this is not the first time the building barely escaped being destroyed through fire.
The Great Fire of Augusta in 1916, started just one block over on Broad Street and thanks to the wind blowing eastward, the building was spared when almost all of Broad Street past Ninth Street all the way into Olde Town was destroyed.
The Augusta Fire Department is investigating the cause of Monday’s fire.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
