Shopping Center Fire on St. Marks Church Road Causes Major Damage

Burlington emergency crews answered a structure fire at a shopping center on St. Marks Church Road shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4. Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the front of one business and brought the blaze under control roughly 45 minutes after it was reported. No injuries were reported.

City officials estimate roughly $700,000 in damage to the building and its contents. Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Burlington Police, Alamance County EMS, the Whitsett and Gibsonville fire departments, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. Their presence limited risk from utilities and helped secure the site for investigators and cleanup crews.

Fire officials are continuing to examine the scene to determine the cause. "Fire officials in Burlington are investigating the cause of a structure fire on St. Marks Road." The investigation will inform whether the damaged business can reopen, the timeline for repairs and whether neighboring tenants can resume operations.

For the local community, the immediate impact is concentrated on the affected shopping center. Damage to the building and inventory could reduce foot traffic, displace employees and interrupt services that residents rely on for daily needs. A $700,000 loss at a single commercial property represents both physical repairs and lost business income; smaller retailers typically face the greatest challenge recovering from such disruptions without prompt insurance payouts or temporary relocation support.

Public-safety coordination on the scene indicates utility checks and structural assessments will shape the cleanup timeline. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas involvement suggests inspections of power and gas lines were part of initial response steps. Depending on the outcome of those checks and the fire investigation, portions of the shopping center may remain closed for days or longer while contractors stabilize the structure and insurance adjusters assess losses.

City and county officials have not reported injuries and have not released a cause; they are expected to provide updates as the inquiry progresses. Residents and customers who frequent the St. Marks Church Road shopping center should anticipate temporary service interruptions and check with individual businesses before visiting. The economic ripple effects—lost wages, repair costs and reduced sales—will be clearer once officials and property owners complete assessments and outline recovery plans.