Crime & Safety
News Nearby: Tucker Hardware Store Burns to the Ground
Friday night blaze destroys Handy Ace Hardware on Cowan Road.
A sudden and devastating fire on Friday evening completely destroyed the building that only recently became the new home of Handy Ace Hardware, a long-time Tucker mainstay.
No injuries have been reported. The store had closed for the day an hour before the fire started.
Fire crews were called shortly after 7 p.m. to 4365 Cowan Road and were still battling the fierce blaze two hours later. Onlookers watched as the large structure slowly collapsed amid raging flames and billowing smoke.Β
Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Jon Howell, a neighbor who lives in a nearby apartment complex, told Patch that propane tanks in front of the building had exploded. "The first thing I heard were three loud bangs. There were flames going up 50 feet in the air when I got here."
A couple who had been having dinner at Zaxby's up the street came to see what was going on. "I saw the roof collapse," said a somewhat shocked Mike Burkett.
Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The hardware store, originally located across the street in the shopping center that houses Sangria's and Inclusif Fitness, had in recent years moved into the new spot, itself a former bowling alley. Β
Do you have photos or video of the fire? Please add them to this article by clicking the 'upload' button below.
Β
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.