On this day in 1998, dark smoke could be seen rising from the downtown area over the city. Curious about the cause of the smoke, downtown workers soon found out that the origin of the smoke was a fire in the former #256 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company factory on Chestnut Street.
The fire engulfed the #256 building, plus some adjoining buildings, and there was some damage to nearby buildings.
For a gallery of photos showing the fire and the aftermath of the fire, look at http://www.digitalforsyth.org/ and search under fire 1998.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
