Clarksville Bank a ‘Total Loss’ After Overnight Fire

The Regions Bank on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard was heavily damaged in a fire early Saturday morning.

“At about 2:50 a.m., firefighters responded to the fire at 2155 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., near Lowe’s Drive,” said Clarksville Fire Marshal Ray Williams.

Firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the building and soon saw flames. They closed the highway completely in order to lay hoses across the street.

“Initially, they attacked the fire inside the building, but it grew in intensity and they had to move outside the building,” Williams said.

The fire was under control about three hours later, at 6:15 a.m.

“Responding to the fire were Stations 1, 8, 9 and 10, with about 25 firefighters involved, up to 15 of them being called in from off-duty,” Williams said.

No one was injured.

“The bank appears to be a total loss, with the center of the roof collapsed,” Williams said.

“Inside the bank was a vault containing safe deposit boxes. These weren’t damaged by fire, but might have some water damage. They will remain under guard until they can be secured,” he said.

“The fire started with work being done at the bank after hours by a construction crew. But the exact cause is still under review,” Williams said.

This is a branch location. Regions has a main office and four branches in Clarksville.

“It’s the first time in my career we’ve had a fire at a bank,” Williams said. “It goes to show you can have a fire anywhere.”

Brian O’Meara, Middle Tennessee Marketing Director for Regions, said it was too early tell if the branch will be rebuilt, but he suspected it would in some capacity. “We have a mobile branch we’ll try to get up there in the meantime,” he said.

All employees at the branch will also work at different branches in town for the time being, he said.

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