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Fire ignites at old Columbus warehouse, proposed pickleball site on Third Avenue

By Kelby Hutchison

A fire that broke out at a warehouse building on Third Avenue Thursday afternoon is now under control, according to Columbus Fire & EMS.

The fire department believes the fire started in a back storage area of the building, officials told the Ledger-Enquirer.

There were no reported victims of the fire as of Thursday afternoon, according to Division Chief John Shull.

The Columbus fire department responded to a fire at an old warehouse which is expected to be turned into a pickleball facility, with a sign outside showing the rezone intent.
The Columbus fire department responded to a fire at an old warehouse which is expected to be turned into a pickleball facility, with a sign outside showing the rezone intent. Kelby Hutchison/Ledger-Enquirer

The fire occurred at a vacant four-story structure at 1641 3rd Avenue. A rezoning sign sits outside the structure. The sign states the proposed rezoning will be for “recreation/pickleball use.”

”Columbus, GA Pickleball Association, Inc.” can be seen on the rezoning sign. That organization announced last year its new plans to build a pickleball facility on the property.

The property was bought by the Columbus Pickleball Association for $625,000, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

The property is the site where CPA plans to construct 28 outdoor pickleball courts if the tentative approval from the Georgia Department of Transportation becomes final, CPA President Lance Tankersley told the Ledger-Enquirer then.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM.

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