Cause of Nu-Way fire on Cotton Avenue may have been electrical

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb fire investigators say the cause of the fire that destroyed the Nu-Way Weiners restaurant on Cotton Avenue may have been electrical. 

Crews were on scene at 3:00 a.m. Friday morning. 

Spyros Dermatas is trying to save everything he can. The co-owner of Nu-Way Weiners says losing almost a hundred years of history is unbelievable. 

“Earlier we got in and got the computer server out and we’re going to see if that’s salvageable,” Dermatas said. 

Friday morning, fires lit up the dark skies. Crews spent the day putting out hot spots inside the restaurant as well as the adjacent corporate office. 

Both are considered to be a total loss. 

The restaurant was a fixture in downtown Macon — a pilgrimage for those obsessed with the red hot links. 

Investigators think the fire may have started because of electrical wiring. 

“The main neon sign which is our main sign of course, does not appear to be damaged so we’re hopeful that we can save that,” Dermatas said. 

He adds no matter what, he’ll rebuild in the same place that started it all. 

“We’re very optimistic as far as remaining in downtown Macon and rebuilding. The future will tell. We’re fully insured. So we’re very optimistic. We’ve been here 99 years and we want to keep on keeping on,” Dermatas said. 

A challenge he’s up for — with hopes of rising from the ashes. 

Nu-Way has nine locations throughout middle Georgia. Six of those are in Macon. Dermatas says once the investigation is complete, he’ll meet with the insurance company to proceed with the rebuilding process.