NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Celina City Hall Destroyed By Fire Overnight

Celina City Hall Destroyed By Fire Overnight

CELINA, Tenn. - Fire crews responded to a fire at the city hall in the Clay County community of Celina.

City leaders reported that 50 years worth of vital records were stored in the attic of the city hall and may be destroyed.

"It's a terrible tragedy, City Hall - they had all their records stored there, it's a bad thing," said Emergency Management Director Natalie Boone.

The fire sparked up around 2 a.m. Friday and within the hour the roof collapsed, sending firefighters running out of the burning building.

"These firefighters, they've done a tremendous job, but it was just too much for them, there was a lot of fire and they just couldn't handle it," Mayor Buddy Thompson.

Emergency officials said one firefighter suffered minor injuries during the fire when part of the roof collapsed on him.

Authorities reported all units were called out to the fire, and there was major damage to the building. The community's rescue squad building next door was also burned.

"My heart was broken; you just hate to see something like that, that's been there for all these years just go up in smoke," said Thompson.

The fire was first reported by a police officer who was on duty nearby. There has been no word on what caused the fire.

"We're a close knit group here, we'll all pull together, they'll rebound from this, something good will come out, I'm a firm believer in it," said Thompson.

The fire marshal will begin an investigation to determine a cause. The city plans to relocate their offices nearby, until they can find a more permanent home.