MARTY RONEY
Courtesy Montgomery Advertiser
PRATTVILLE — Firefighters from Prattville, Montgomery and volunteers from across Autauga and Elmore counties could do little to save the historic Gurney Building on Tuesday night as the 1850s-era structure burned to its foundation.
Firefighters from Montgomery said they could see flames from I-65 as they raced across the Alabama River. The Gurney Building was built around 1850 by Daniel Pratt. The three-story, brick and wood structure is about a blocklong and disappeared in flames minutes after the 11 p.m. call went out.
David Bundy, Advertiser
Prattville firefighters spray water on flames leaping from the Gurney Building late Tuesday night. The building, built around 1850 by Daniel Pratt, was three stories and the structure is about a block-long.
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Embers from the blaze were landing three blocks away as more than 1,000 townspeople gathered near the site at Court and Main streets.
“It’s horrible, just horrible,” said Prattville Mayor Jim Byard. “It’s awful to watch such a historic building go up in flames like this.”
By midnight most of the walls had collapsed as fire consumed the heart of the building. Firefighters worked feverishly to save property near the structure such as the B.W. Moncrief Building and the Westbrook Christian School.
Marty Roney, Advertiser
Flames consume the Gurney Building in Prattville late Tuesday night.
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The former textile mill was closed four years ago and is owned by three local preservationists — George Walthall and John and Ann Boutwell. The building was empty, but the rosin-soaked heart-pine floors burnt as if soaked in gasoline.
Firefighters were concerned that the Continental Eagle Co., only 100 yards across Autauga Creek, would catch fire. It also was part of the original Pratt manufacturing complex along the creek.
“Efforts to save the rest of the downtown buildings appear to be successful,” said Prattville Fire Department shift commander Capt. Leon McCord. He said a Prattville police officer on patrol called the report in.
The fire knocked out electricity across a four-block area and covered the streets of downtown in ash. Police, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters patrolled the area near the fire, watching for embers that could ignite other buildings.
“I never thought I woukd see this day,” said James Smith, 75, a lifelong Prattville resident. “That building is made of heart-pine lumber. Once a spark got started, they couldn’t do anything to save it.”
Byard credited the quick work of all the firefighters for saving downtown.
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