Firefighters from across Russell County and neighboring communities spent more than six hours battling a large commercial fire Wednesday afternoon at the Dollar General located on Alabama Highway 165 at Sweetwater Branch Road.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 2:07 p.m. on June 10, 2026, and remained actively engaged in firefighting operations well into the evening.
When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were visible coming from the roof and both the front and rear sections of the building. Firefighters launched an aggressive attack on the fire, utilizing ladder trucks to battle the blaze from above while ground crews worked with additional suppression equipment to contain the flames.
The incident prompted a massive multi-agency response. Fire departments from Fort Mitchell, Seale, Crawford, Uchee Creek, Ladonia, Mount Olive, Pittsview, Fort Benning and Phenix City all assisted with firefighting efforts. Additional support was provided by CARE Ambulance, the Russell County Constable’s Office, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, and the county’s animal control.
According to officials on scene, emergency resources included eight fire engines, one brush truck, two ladder trucks, three command vehicles, three ambulances and numerous law enforcement vehicles.
Russell County District 5 Commissioner Cedric Darty responded to the fire after receiving a phone call about the incident.
“I immediately came to the scene to check on the fire and everyone involved,” Darty said.
As firefighters worked through the evening, smoke continued rising from the rear of the building while crews extinguished remaining hot spots and conducted overhaul operations.
Firefighters were seen removing crates of merchandise from the store as part of the effort to fully extinguish the fire and secure the structure.
Several firefighters were evaluated and treated by EMS personnel during the lengthy operation. Officials said all employees and customers were able to safely evacuate the building, and no civilian injuries were reported.
The scene was cleared at approximately 8:20 p.m. after firefighters confirmed the fire was completely extinguished and secured the building by locking the doors. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and has not yet been determined…