Courthouse in Rome, Georgia, on March 23, sending thick black smoke over downtown and heavily damaging one of the community’s most recognizable landmarks. The blaze broke out shortly after 2 p.m. at the 1892 Romanesque Revival building, a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Officials said everyone inside was safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Even so, the fire quickly escalated into a devastating loss for Floyd County.

The courthouse had recently entered a $4 million renovation project focused on brick repairs and safety upgrades when flames erupted and spread into the upper portions of the structure. As the fire intensified, crews shifted to defensive tactics while battling flames that reached the clock tower and roof. Video from the scene showed towering smoke and fire consuming the building, with the plume visible far beyond downtown Rome. The destruction stunned residents who have long viewed the courthouse as a symbol of the city’s history and civic identity.

Firefighters moved quickly to clear the area and protect nearby buildings as concerns grew over structural collapse. Reports from the scene indicated the bell tower partially gave way while crews worked from the exterior to contain the inferno. County officials said the courthouse, which housed important local offices including tax operations, suffered catastrophic damage. The fire also displaced employees and disrupted normal county business as leaders began assessing the aftermath.

Officials have not determined what caused the fire, and no verified evidence has been released to support online speculation about how it started. That uncertainty has only added to the shock surrounding the destruction of a building that stood for well over a century. Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene described the scene as truly tragic while expressing gratitude that everyone made it out safely. With the investigation now underway, the focus remains on securing the site, restoring county operations, and preserving what can be saved from a landmark deeply tied to Rome’s