Four Businesses Affected By Fires In Downtown Gatlinburg

The portion of The Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg is closed after a fire in downtown Gatlinburg on Sunday. Crews from the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge fire departments responded around 6:40 Sunday morning to a fire on the Parkway. Four businesses have been affected by the fire. Two of the buildings are a total loss and will have to be demolished. The businesses are Puckers’ Sports Bar, China Bazaar, Cafe 420, and Gifts of Gatlinburg. Those businesses are between Johnny Rockets and the Gatlinburg Inn. That fire was still burning Sunday afternoon and as of 5pm, fire crews were still battling hot spots. Smoke can still be seen this morning coming from that area. The Parkway is closed from stoplight #6 to Reagan Drive. No traffic is being allowed on that part of the parkway. For those who are planning to go to downtown Gatlinburg, such as those who work in that area, officials with Gatlinburg say you are to use River Road and Cherokee Orchard Road as detours. Those who are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are being asked to use the Gatlinburg By-Pass. Sidewalks in downtown Gatlinburg on the Parkway are open, but the southbound sidewalk between Johnny Rockets and the Gatlinburg Inn and the northbound sidewalk behind the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen are closed.