Floyd County Courthouse engulfed as massive flames destroy historic landmark in Rome
floyd county courthouse was destroyed by a massive fire in Rome, Georgia on Monday afternoon, with dramatic flames captured on video ripping through the historic structure. everyone inside was safely evacuated as emergency operations expanded across downtown and traffic was pushed away from the immediate area. The building, constructed in 1892, was undergoing renovations at the time, and there is still no official word on what caused the fire as of mid-afternoon Monday (ET).
Fire rips through downtown as crews battle heavy flames
Emergency crews were on scene Monday afternoon battling heavy flames and thick black smoke rising over downtown Rome (ET). Video from the scene showed intense fire tearing through the courthouse structure, as the blaze appeared to spread across sections of the building.
Officials also moved quickly to clear nearby areas. Floyd County Government stated on social media that everyone has been safely evacuated from the historic courthouse, citing Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord. By mid-afternoon Monday (ET), roads in the downtown area were blocked, and police were evacuating portions of Broad Street as fire response continued.
Floyd County Courthouse evacuation confirmed; streets blocked as advisories expand
Floyd County Government’s update emphasized that the evacuation was completed safely, with no additional details provided in the public statement beyond the confirmation shared through County Manager Jamie McCord. The incident unfolded as a major downtown disruption, with police blocking roads and moving people away from parts of Broad Street by mid-afternoon Monday (ET).
Separately, the Rome Police Department issued an urgent traffic advisory during the active response, asking residents to avoid the 5th Avenue at Tribune area and the Government Plaza area while fire operations were underway (ET). Officials did not provide a timeline for when roads would reopen.
Renovations underway; cause still unknown
the courthouse was undergoing renovations when the fire broke out. Floyd County Government also stated there was no word on what caused the blaze as of mid-afternoon Monday (ET), and no additional information was released about how the fire started or how long operations might continue.
The building, built in 1892, is described by officials as historic. Monday’s fire left the downtown landmark heavily damaged, with statements indicating the structure was destroyed.
Quick context and what’s next
The fire broke out on a Monday afternoon in downtown Rome and triggered evacuation actions and immediate traffic restrictions, including blocked roads and police-directed clearing of nearby streets (ET). The response remained active as officials worked to control the flames and smoke.
Next updates are expected from Floyd County Government and the Rome Police Department as fire operations continue and officials determine when the downtown blocks can be lifted. Investigators have not announced a cause, and any determination about what sparked the floyd county courthouse fire has not been released as of mid-afternoon Monday (ET).
