Little Rock, Arkansas – Fire officials in Little Rock are working to determine what caused a blaze that damaged a former Rotary Club building in the heart of downtown on Christmas night. The fire drew crews to the area and kept firefighters on scene for several hours as they worked to bring the flames under control.
According to the Little Rock Fire Department, crews were dispatched to the former home of the Little Rock Rotary Club, located at 621 E. Capitol Avenue, at approximately 8:45 p.m. on December 25. The call came in during the holiday evening, prompting a swift response from firefighters.
When crews arrived, they quickly realized the fire was already well advanced. Officials said the flames had spread to the second floor of the building and eventually broke through into the attic space. Due to the extent of the fire, firefighters were forced to take aggressive action to reach the flames. Crews breached doors and cut through sheetrock to gain access and stop the fire from spreading further.
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Firefighters remained on scene for nearly three hours, battling the fire until about 11:30 p.m. The prolonged response reflected the challenges posed by the structure of the building and the location of the fire, particularly once it reached the upper levels.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Fire officials confirmed that the building appeared to be vacant at the time of the fire, a factor that likely prevented a far more serious outcome. There were no reports of anyone inside the structure when the fire broke out.
The former Rotary Club building has been part of downtown Little Rock for years, and its condition following the fire was not immediately clear. Officials did not release information on the extent of the damage, but the spread to the second floor and attic suggests the building sustained significant impact.
At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown. The Little Rock Fire Department said the fire marshal has launched an investigation to determine how the blaze started. Investigators are expected to examine the scene, review any available evidence, and look into whether electrical issues or other factors may have played a role.
As the investigation continues, fire officials are reminding property owners to ensure vacant buildings are properly secured and maintained. Updates are expected once investigators are able to determine what led to the Christmas night fire in downtown Little Rock.
