BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — In early June, a large fire engulfed several businesses at the Green Acres Flea Market. The building where those businesses set up stalls was damaged, but a month later vendors were welcomed back to continue business — mostly in the flea market's parking lot.
Investigators said it was the "largest property fire" in Blount County's recent history. They are also still working to determine what started the fire but said they have not found evidence indicating foul play.
"It was a serious challenge. It was a horrific event emotionally, financially," said Brett Mandel, the secretary of Green Acres Flea Market. "So, our goal is to get one dedicated vendor, or business, in that area where the building was — on the slab."
Mandel said despite the fire, vendors never left. Many stayed to sell their goods outside over the weekends. Future plans for the flea market could also keep operations open seven days a week.
"It's gonna remain an outdoor flea market with, hopefully, one sole vendor on a slab where the building used to be in, you know, that could lease that aspect for us while we remain an outside flea market on Saturday and Sunday," said Mandel.
Blount County authorities ruled that the fire was "undetermined." They found that it started at a vacant restaurant nearby.
"An undetermined fire doesn't mean that we don't know anything. It's just the fact that we don't have sufficient evidence," said Isaac Staley, an investigator with Blount County Sheriff's Office. "We were able to see from a bird's eye view of the area of origin, which was that vacant restaurant that was not a portion, or even attached, to the main building of Green Acres Flea Market."
He said the close proximity between the restaurant and the Green Acres Flea Market led to the fire spreading within seconds.
"As that fire grew, it jumped across two buildings," said Staley. "We've not run across anything that leads us to believe that there's been any wrongdoing or foul play that has taken place with this fire."