Fire Destroys Multiple Businesses on Fayetteville Square; Mopey’s Family Restaurant Lost in Separate Lewisburg Blaze

An early Sunday morning fire heavily damaged the south side of the Fayetteville square, destroying four businesses and sending three firefighters to the hospital.

According to published reports from the Elk Valley Times, the fire broke out early Sunday (Feb. 8, 2026) and destroyed the buildings housing The Skin Refinery, Mercantile on Market, Young Vintage and The Dance Academy.

Fayetteville Mayor Donna Hartman said she was notified of the fire around 3:30 a.m. by one of the business owners and arrived while three of the businesses were already fully engulfed. She said firefighters were actively battling the blaze when the fire spread to the Dance Academy building.

Mutual aid crews responded from surrounding areas, including Tullahoma and Huntsville, along with local volunteer firefighters. Hartman said the response required an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Fayetteville Fire Chief Davy Bergman brought in heavy equipment to demolish what remained of the structures so crews could access hot spots, improve airflow between buildings and prevent further damage. Hartman said four buildings were completely demolished as a result.

Three firefighters were transported to the hospital with injuries. Hartman said one firefighter was later released, while two remained hospitalized.

Hartman said freezing temperatures created additional challenges for crews, noting that water used to fight the fire was turning to ice during the response.

She described the damage as devastating to the community, calling the downtown square the heart of Fayetteville, and praised the response from residents and local businesses who provided food, drinks and supplies for firefighters. She also said Sheriff Tull Malone assisted by sending inmates to help carry hoses and supplies.

In a separate incident, another early-morning fire destroyed Mopey’s Family Restaurant in Lewisburg.

That fire was reported just after 4 a.m. Saturday at the restaurant on Nashville Highway. Officials said the building was a total loss.

The cause of either fire has not been released.