A fire broke out at the site of the old Atlanta Eagle Thursday, June 6.
Video shows flames coming from the roof of the former Atlanta Eagle building, which was designated as a historic landmark in 2020 – the city’s first LGBTQ landmark.
The Friday morning after the fire had been eradicated, the landmark – although heavily damaged – was still standing. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and no injuries have yet been reported. The fire comes only a couple weeks after a fire broke out at Blake’s on the Park.
“This doesn’t look like it’s vandalism or arson or anything or malic intent,” Mayor Andre Dickens told Channel 2 Action News. Atlanta Eagle owner said it’s a “sad loss for our community” but that the Eagle patrons are safe at their new location on Piedmont Avenue.
“I’m so full of emotions right now,” Ramey told Atlanta. “No one wants to see their history erased. So many people who had history there over the last 35 years are heartbroken tonight.”
“Yes, the Ponce building is a historic landmark, but the Atlanta Eagle family is its people, and we’re all safe tonight,” he continued. “That’s what I’m most grateful for right now. I had high hopes for the old building that it could have become the Atlanta Gay History Center or some other landmark for the community.”
Mayor Dickens told Channel 2 that after the investigation into the fire ends, he wants to see someone move into the building and revitalize the historic area.