Fire destroys Drop Zone in Fultondale

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News




A late Sunday fire destroyed a Fultondale business and one of the city’s oldest commercial buildings.

Fultondale firefighters responded to the blaze at the Drop Zone sports bar, located at 2403 Decatur Highway, shortly after 10:20 p.m.

Fultondale Fire Chief Larry Holcomb said by the time firefighters arrived on the scene at 10:26, the building was fully involved and no entry could be made. Holcomb said firefighters were on the scene until about 3:30 a.m. Monday.

The business was closed when the blaze started and no one was inside the building. Holcomb said there were no injuries related to the fire.

Drop Zone owner George Jones said he was completely devastated by the loss. “I’m not really sure what’s going to happen. I’m just at a loss right now,” said Jones on the future of his business. “We want to rebuild, but it’s just a shock to me and my wife.”

The city council approved the business license for the establishment in December 2008 and it opened on Jan. 2.

Jones said business had been steady since it opened, and he employed at least six workers. He described them as being devastated by the fire. “I don’t know what to say to them,” he said. “They’ve always stood by me and supported me.”

Fultondale Fire Marshal Scott Fassina said it may take several days before the cause of the blaze is determined. However, Jones believes the fire could have been related to electrical issues, particularly with an air conditioner on the roof of the building.

Prior to the opening of the Drop Zone, the building had housed several restaurants over the years, including Casa Martinez, Cock of the Walk and Jimbo’s Seafood.

Jim Jernigan, who has co-owned the building for five years, said it was built in the 1930s and was once a premiere destination when it opened as the Fulton Springs Motor Court and Restaurant. He said the building was fully insured and he planned to rebuild on the property at some point.

“In terms of road frontage, it’s too valuable a piece of property not to put something there,” he said. “It’s kind of early in the game, but we’re going to rebuild. Our options are open.”

Jernigan also thanked the Fultondale Fire Department for a quick response.

“We have an excellent fire department and those guys did their job. I want to thank them for their hard work,” he said.