A massive fire in historic downtown Cullman destroyed one of the city’s oldest commercial buildings Monday, displacing businesses, disrupting traffic and power in the surrounding area, and leaving behind the loss of a landmark that had stood for well over a century.

The fire at the Stiefelmeyer Building was reported around 3:55 a.m. Monday, according to local reports. When crews arrived, flames were visible from outside the structure, and thermal imaging indicated the fire had already spread through much of the building.

Cullman Fire and Rescue spent hours battling the blaze, cutting openings in the roof and later bringing in heavy equipment to remove sections of the structure in an effort to reach the hottest areas. Fire officials said the building’s design, including void spaces between the attic and roof, made the fire especially difficult to access and contain.

Authorities determined it was too dangerous to attack the blaze from inside the lower floors of the building. Instead, crews pumped water into the structure through openings cut into the roof and exterior. Multiple agencies responded, and firefighters remained on scene well into the evening as they worked to keep the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

No injuries were reported.

Local reports indicated the building is considered a total loss. The fire also forced evacuations nearby, rerouted traffic in parts of downtown, and led to power outages affecting businesses and other customers in the immediate area. Reports also indicated Cullman City Schools dismissed early Monday because of road closures and safety concerns tied to the fire response.

The Stiefelmeyer Building, constructed in 1892, had long served as a fixture of downtown Cullman. Originally built as a general store and commercial center, it later became a multi-tenant building that housed offices and small businesses. Local reports indicated roughly 10 to 15 businesses were affected by the fire and related outages.

Reports also described the building as one of the last remaining wooden commercial buildings in downtown Cullman and a rare example of Italianate Revival-style architecture tied to the city’s early commercial history.

Cullman City Council President Kim Hall said the loss extended beyond bricks and mortar.

“This building is more than just a building. It’s really a part of our history. And if you know Cullman, you know that we are deeply rooted,” Hall said.

She also thanked first responders and partner agencies for their efforts throughout the day.

“This has been a long day out here at this big fire building. This building is more than just a building. It’s really a part of our history. And if you know Cullman, you know that we are deeply rooted. I just wanna thank all of the first responders, firefighters, police department for their dedication and commitment to putting this fire out and maintaining the safety of our citizens. and working to ensure that it did not spread further. It’s been a battle all day long and they have been committed to this project and they have relentlessly pursued safety for our community. So we appreciate all partnering agencies and we just ask that you continue to keep our firefighters and business owners in your prayers through this time,” Hall said.

Building owner Dan Willingham also reflected on the uncertainty ahead.

“The Lord gives things, and the Lord takes things away,” Willingham said. “I’ll miss it, of course, and we might can put it back together, I don’t know.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said the building was “a rare and irreplaceable piece of Cullman’s history.”

Fire officials said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation and could take several days to determine. Even as the fire response gave way to cleanup and investigation, the loss was already being felt across downtown by business owners, workers, and residents who saw the Stiefelmeyer Building as part of Cullman’s identity.

Courtesy of 256 Today.