On Saturday morning, around 4:30 a.m., Northside Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to AA Tires at 1545 Hwy 19N. Deputy Kody Kennedy said he was patrolling the area when he saw smoke coming from the metal building. He reported the possible fire to Upson Co. 911 dispatchers who then toned out Northside Fire Dept.
Within 3 minutes the fire dept. had arrived on scene. Heavy smoke was rising from the back of the building, no flames were showing. Firefighters made entry into the building’s front door and extinguished the fire’s remaining hotspots.
According to Chief Andy Hay, “The fire started and smothered itself out.” Hay was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
According to George Flores, AA Tires business owner, the lock on the roll up door was missing when he arrived.
On Monday morning, at 5:27a.m., the Thomaston Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at Upson Automotive on Hwy. 19 N across from KFC. It took firefighters less than 10 minutes to gain access to the Upson Automotive building and extinguish the flames.
Five members of the TFD responded from the station, and four more responded to the scene from their homes. Capt. Renee Harris said there were no complications in battling the blaze and the overall operation was a smooth success.
“Foot prints were found around the building. Some type of accelerant was used. The back of the building had racial graffiti,” said Harris.
According to Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, both AA Tires and Upson Automotive Tires are under investigation by Upson Co. Sheriff’s Investigators and the state Fire Marshal’s Office as possible arson.
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