Firefighters responded to a large fire at a Flying J travel center at Exit 104 of Interstate 20/59 in central Alabama early this morning.
The blaze is said to have caused heavy damage to the Pilot Flying J location at 6098 McAshan Drive in McCalla, Alabama. Media reports say firefighters from nearby Bessemer responded to the blaze at about 2 a.m.
Stephanie Myers, supervisor, external communications for Pilot Flying J, in a written statement said:
“The safety and well-being of our Team Members and Guests is always our main concern.
“The Flying J Travel Center, store #601, located at 6098 Macashan Drive in McCalla, Alabama, caught fire, causing extensive damage to the property. No one was injured during the incident, and the cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the local fire department. The location will be rebuilt and will remain closed during reconstruction.”
The blaze occurred in the restaurant and convenience store and did not reach the fuel island.
It was reported that trucks at the travel center at the time of the fire were not allowed to leave until sometime later in the morning.
If you use the Flying J on I-20 at the Rock Mt. Lake exit you will need to find another spot. Just spoke to Bessemer Police and they said the building appears to be a total loss. pic.twitter.com/q5NoKZ5SVq
— Russell Jones (@russellwbrc) May 29, 2019