‘Like a horror movie’: Broughton spa owner describes fire that left business in ‘total loss’ state

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A fire that tore through a Broughton Street building has left multiple businesses on the road to recovery.

Savannah Fire responded a little after 3 a.m. last Thursday to the flames. The smell of smoke still infiltrates the building, which stretches from Levy Jewelers to Broughton Liquor.

“Firefighters had just finished putting everything out and it looked like a horror movie in there,” said Catherine Garrido, owner of Milan Day Spa.

Fire crews describe response

Greg Jacobs, battalion chief for the Savannah Fire crew that responded to the flames Thursday, said the historic buildings present ongoing challenges.

“The relief factor doesn’t come up when you see it’s a business on Broughton,” Jacobs said.

“Those buildings are old, they’ve been modified over time, they are heavy timber construction so they’re very durable but still a concern,” Jacobs said.

Businesses assess damage

Broughton Liquor is open and undamaged. Milan Day Spa lost everything, including its location in the historic district after 16 years.

“Honestly I don’t know if I have any words, I don’t think you can actually tell people how you feel unless you’ve actually been in this situation and you’ve gone through a loss, through a fire and you’ve lost everything,” Garrido said.

Two restaurants, Naan on Broughton and Estia Kitchen, have not reopened. Naan workers said they plan to reopen Friday. Estia Kitchen does not have a projected reopening date but hopes to reopen soon.

Broughton Liquor and Levy Jewelers have reopened. Both businesses said the majority of their products were sealed or encased, which limited their losses.

Day spa relocates

The 12 Milan Day Spa employees have moved about half a mile west to Spa Bliss for the time being.

“I think we’re still sort of overwhelmed, still in shock, still trying to come to terms with what happened. But we will be moving forward to rebuild and we will bigger and better,” Garrido said.