Blaze damages
Tweetsie
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

An early-morning fire destroyed one of the original buildings of the Tweetsie Railroad theme park Sunday. Multiple 911 calls were received at approximately 4 a.m. to report the fire.

Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue responded to find the Depot Gift Shop and Museum completely engulfed. Members of the Boone Fire Department also responded.

The two departments contained the blaze and cleared the scene in just over three hours. The 1,300 square foot building was a complete loss.

The building housed the gift shop, concession stand, first aid area and museum. Among the items lost in the fire, memorabilia and costumes of the 1960s poplar television cowboy, Fred Kirby and railroad artifacts are listed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation though officials have said an electrical problem is a possibility. Foul play is not suspected.

Cathy Robbins, marketing director for Tweetsie, said all electricity for the park was routed through the Depot Gift Shop and Museum building.

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation was on scene Sunday afternoon to restore service knocked out by the fire. Telephone service was also out following the blaze but repaired by Sunday afternoon.

Tweetsie Railroad is scheduled to reopen for the 2008 season on May 2, and Robbins confirms that date will not change. Plans for reconstruction of a gift shop and concession area are unclear at this time.

“We are still recovering from the fire, but we will definitely open on May 2. We have several excellent entertainment events planned for the coming season,” Robbins said.