Several buildings in the downtown area of Baxter were destroyed or damaged by fire on Friday morning.

The fire apparently was discovered by a citizen that passed by and saw the smoke between 4:00 and 6:00 this morning.

S and S Furniture and Gail’s Wagon Wheel restaurant were destroyed.

Baxter Bi-Rite was next door and the crews watered down the building to try and keep the flames from spreading to that structure.

The inspections to determine what damage was done to the Bi-Rite will have to be made later.

The fire was fought by the Baxter Fire Department who requested help from the Putnam County and Cookeville Fire Departments as well.

Traffic continued to move on the Main Street with only the access road between the businesses and the train tracks was closed.

The fire scene will continue to be monitored to protect against flare ups.

The evaluation of the Baxter Bi-Rite and the cause of the fire will continue by investigators.