UPDATE: No known injuries in massive fire at downtown Savannah construction site
Fire crews are on scene of a massive fire at Eastern Wharf construction site in downtown Savannah, according to the Savannah Fire Department.
The department also was using a firefighting boat in the Savannah River.
The fire started on the 5th floor of the building and is being fueled and spread by the wind, according to Jenel Few, the fire department’s public information officer.
East Bay Street is completely closed to traffic, according to Keturah Green, spokesperson for Savannah Police Department. She said to avoid this area as much as possible.
Nick Zoller, spokesman for the City of Savannah, said the fire chief is suited up and fighting the fire.
“At this point we do know that no individuals have been harmed,” he said during a news conference.
No nearby buildings have been evacuated, Few said.
In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said all construction workers on the site were evacuated and accounted for. Johnson said a cause has not yet been determined for the fire.
“They are doing their job. They are kicking this fire’s butt,” Johnson said of the firefighters.
The Eastern Wharf project was intended to be a multi-use development that included residences, office space, a hotel and park, according to the site’s website.
It was scheduled to open in 2020.
A call to Karen Guinn, the development’s spokesperson, was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
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This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 1:53 PM.
