Atlantic Cotton Mill Fire Cause Undetermined

The Macon-Bibb Fire Department spent nine days at the Atlantic Cotton Mill, fighting a massive fire the first two days and then an extensive investigation followed. The smoke has cleared but many questions remain.

“We feel like the fire is an accidental fire that took place. We don’t feel like there is any malice intent and the exact cause is still to be determined as well,” said Macon-Bibb Fire Chief, Marvin Riggins.

The devastating fire ripped through the old Atlantic Cotton Mill on March 24th. The fire department requested the aid of the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to canvas the 140,000 square foot structure.

‘We feel like the fire actually started in the warehouse area…When we got there these areas were already on fire,” said Riggins.

Workers were cutting metal toward the east side of the structure and that’s where fire officials believe the fire started. In the mean time, the workers moved clear across the property and that’s why they didn’t realize the fire had started until 30 minutes later.