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Overnight Fire Draws Attention in Columbia; Crews Keep it Contained at Site

Issue #712

April 22, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunshine, some clouds w/ high of 83, low of 58

🚒 Overnight Fire Draws Attention in Columbia; Crews Keep it Contained at Site

📰 More Than 3,000 Tennesseans Waiting: Mayor Sheila Butt Urges Residents to Register as Donors

🗓 List of Upcoming Events -Just Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Overnight Fire Draws Attention in Columbia; Crews Keep it Contained at Site

A large fire lit up the night sky in Columbia last night, drawing attention from residents miles away.

The fire occurred at the City of Columbia brush debris site, a rock quarry near Iron Bridge Road and Tom J. Hitch Parkway, where brush and tree debris were being burned. According to officials, the site is used to dispose of trees cleared during recent severe weather, including the ice storm and tornado. The material was being burned inside an incinerator when embers escaped and ignited nearby debris piles.

Maury County Fire Department crews, including Engine 21 and Tanker 21, responded to the scene to protect heavy equipment located near the burn area. Fire officials emphasized there was no danger to the public, noting that the site is surrounded by quarry property with no nearby homes. No injuries were reported.

Columbia Fire & Rescue also assisted. Crews were able to contain the fire within the designated area, preventing it from spreading beyond the property. No equipment or infrastructure was damaged.

As of the latest update, only smoldering coals remain at the site. Officials say those hot spots may continue to smoke for an extended period and will be monitored.

When asked about burn permits, Maury County Fire Department clarified that burn permitting is handled at the state level. Officials also noted that the fire originated from a machine designed to burn trees, rather than from an open-air burn.

More Than 3,000 Tennesseans Waiting: Mayor Sheila Butt Urges Residents to Register as Donors

From Maury County Mayor Shelia Butt’s post…

APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH!

This month is very special to me. My younger brother was hit by a car when he was eight years old and lived many years with a malfunctioning heart due to the accident. 

He was in and out of the hospital regularly. Over the years, his heart had compensated until it was totally worn out. He lives in Pennsylvania and has 5 children.

One night, 8 years ago, I got the call. Kyle was getting a heart! A twenty-six year old young man had died in a car accident and was an organ donor. 

He blessed so many lives tremendously!

Our family asked to meet his family, however, the donor’s family gets to choose whether they want to meet the recipient, and they chose not to meet. How could we really thank them for such a gift, anyway? 

Before the transplant, my brother could barely get to his son’s sporting events. After the transplant, he coached the teams! It was a truly remarkable transformation.

There are more than 100,000 Americans and 3,000 Tennesseans waiting for life-saving organ transplants. 

And every HERO donor can give the gift of life to eight people and each tissue donor can improve another 75 lives.

Learn more at DonateLifeTN.org. You may also register there. 

Thank you, Joey Allen, for sharing this privilege with me. 

Nothing is more precious than the gift of LIFE. 

Click for more info

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, April 22nd

Thursday, April 23rd

Friday, April 24th

Saturday, April 25th

Sunday, April 26th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, April 23
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
Ashton Smith - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, April 24
Rett Stocstill & The Ministry of Fun - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder’s Switch, 7–9 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Ben Cannon - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
The Deltaz - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, April 25
Ben Daniels - Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
Crossbridges - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Justin & Tab - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Marci Mitchell Band - The Boondox, 8 PM
MFT - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, April 26
Cliftones - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Jackie Saturday - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM
Vintage Voltage - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4–7 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk