Officials said the fire, which began around 8:15 a.m., resulted in a total loss of the 160,000-square-foot metal structure. The only injury was to the shoulder of a firefighter. The dollar value of the loss wasn’t immediately determined.
Preliminary investigation indicated the fire resulted from a construction accident involving a torch.
Southern Eagle also operates in Florida and South Carolina. The company distributes Anheuser-Busch products, as well as other beer brands, soda, energy drinks, juice and water.
Southern Eagle, which is celebrating its 111th anniversary began by selling ice, coal and gas. Because all beer at that time was draught and required cooling, it was common for ice houses to distribute beer, and Southern Eagle – then known as Fitzgerald Ice Co. – registered “modest” sales of A-B beer.