BY TATUM NORTHINGTON AND SARAH STEPHENS
PHOTOS BY TATUM NORTHINGTON
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PRATTVILLE: A walk through this morning after the devastating fire at Uncle Mick’s Cajun Market and Café shows the devastation, but it also shows the hope that the restaurant will survive, repair and be back serving up the Cajun goodness that has become so popular.
The business opened in 2009 and has been featured in many publications. It is a staple and shining jewel in the crown of downtown Prattville.
In some parts of the business, the antiques and artwork are charred. Other items remain seemingly untouched. Some of the deer and animal mounts on the walls show features burned away, while others have some minor damage.
Some of the artwork that was popular on the walls is destroyed and irreplaceable, as the artists have since passed away. It took years to collect the festive accents in the restaurant, and the collection was impressive.
“It is just crazy,” said Connie Dismukes, who is owner Mickey Thompson’s girlfriend. She pointed out how the fire moved from the back of the restaurant to the front, explaining that is probably because the back door was shut. The flames would have followed the easiest path to oxygen.
As for Thompson, the fire is heartbreaking, but his positivity remains.
“My sign out front says ‘Never Give Up,’” Mickey told the EAN. This is a sign that he placed at the restaurant during COVID, but it certainly suits the mood now.
“We will get it done,” he said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Early indications are it may have started in a dryer due to a chemical reaction with rags and towels.
Thompson said he doesn’t think the fire was burning very long before it was discovered.
“My daughter said there was a lady sitting outside on the front bench, and she heard the crackling and saw the lights go out. She called the fire department and then she called us. This old thing is made of heart pine. It would have been gone if she hadn’t called (so quickly.)”
The fire was reported around 9 p.m. Thursday night when Ashley Smith Conway smelled the smoke and immediately called 911. She is being heralded as a hero for taking quick action.
But it was the responding Prattville Fire Department members who saved the building, and other nearby buildings, by their quick and professional response.
Long after the fire was out, first responders searched surrounding buildings for any sign of damage. Other than light smoke, as of last night, it appeared there was no serious damage to other structures.
Mayor Bill Gillespie was on scene last night and told the EAN he is so very proud of the citizen that called and the fire department.
So as “Uncle Mick” and his staff sort through what is left, the plan is to repair and move forward. A timeline on that is yet unknown. The Prattville and surrounding community that has come to love this business will no doubt rally to show their support in whatever form they can.
Mayor Gillespie told the EAN the city will do whatever it can to help through this process.
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