Fire engulfs Princeton's oldest building, cause remains unknown

The fire started at 120 S. Pine Street around 6:50 p.m. At least three electric transformers were damaged Wednesday night, leaving hundreds of customers without power in below-freezing temperatures until 5:45 a.m.

It took more than 100 firefighters from 14 fire departments to contain the fire., which damaged several buildings surrounding the old mill.

Valentino Whitley spent the cold night at his son's house after the fire knocked the power out at his home, located just a few feet away from the historic building.

"You know I walked out and said, 'Oh, God! It's hot.' It was just scorching hot,” Whitley said. "And it shook the house -- lights went out -- power went out."

By Thursday afternoon, a broken, brick shell was all that remained of the former Gurley Mill. Built in 1914 - it was first a corn and feed mill. Most recently - it was a distribution center for a home improvement and interior design company.

And it meant something to the people of Princeton.

"That's a piece of North Carolina history. Especially in this town. People that grew up in this town know that building better than I do," said Kenneth Eason, who remembers walking by the building with his grandparents as a child.

The fire marshal in Johnson County says firefighters knew that, if the building ever caught fire, the flames would spread fast because the wood is so old. So they had a plan in place in case that happened - and they credit that plan for saving other buildings and lives.

Princeton Elementary School planned to work with students and families who lost power, saying any related absences would be excused Thursday.

The town said overnight shelter was available for residents who needed a warm place to sleep. Another statement from the Town of Princeton encouraged residents to do whatever they could to stay warm.

A WRAL viewer named Joshua Edwards sent photos and footage of the fire. He said he had to leave due to the immense heat and fire hydrants being used in the area.

In the darkness from the lost power, one resident said glow from the flames could be seen from a mile away.

Another local described the fire as "history up in flames."

Another photographer named Grayson Morgan sent in a collection of incredible and frightening photos from the events of the evening.

According to the Johnston County Fire Marshall, the Gurley Antique building was the only structure that caught fire; however, other businesses and homes nearby were affected and damaged by the heat or smoke.

"Please send prayers," said Christi Jones, who posted photos of the structure fire in a social media post.

"We had a tremendous response from this county," said fire chief Randy Jones. "We were able to do exactly what our goal is to do, and that was to save property and lives. I'm extremely proud of my guys."

Investigators will be at the site on Thursday to determine the cause of the fire.

The historic structure, the oldest building in Princeton, is three stories tall and built of brick and wood.

The surrounding area has been mixed residential and commercial since the mid-1800s. Nearby stands a decommissioned water tower and former town hall property.