Fairburn Funeral Home Fire Destroys Cook Brothers Building as Crews Secure Human Remains and Investigate Cause

Fire burns into Monday after starting Sunday afternoon

A large fire tore through Cook Brothers Funeral Directors and Cremations in Fairburn, destroying significant portions of the building and prompting a prolonged firefighting operation that extended into Monday, January 19, 2026. The blaze began Sunday afternoon on Northwest Broad Street, near the downtown Fairburn corridor, and produced heavy smoke visible from surrounding neighborhoods.

Fire crews continued working into Monday to control lingering hotspots and prevent flare-ups, a common challenge when a structure has sustained extensive damage and collapse. Road closures remained in effect in the immediate area as investigators and emergency crews operated around the scene.

Human remains removed during the emergency response

Officials said human remains were inside the funeral home at the time of the fire. During the response, funeral home staff and firefighters entered the building and removed remains for transfer to another location for storage and safekeeping. Public accounts of the incident referenced four to five sets of remains inside the facility; emergency responders confirmed removals were completed and that the remains were relocated.

The incident drew heightened attention because the building served both funeral and cremation functions, increasing the urgency around securing remains and protecting items entrusted to the business by families. The structure suffered heavy damage, and portions of the mortuary were reported to have collapsed as the fire progressed.

Injuries and operational impacts remain under review

Early official updates reported no injuries among firefighters or funeral home staff. Later reporting described at least one individual receiving hospital treatment after smoke exposure while assisting with the removal effort. The differing accounts reflect a fluid, developing situation as details were gathered across multiple stages of the response.

The fire’s destruction raises immediate operational questions for the business, including where services will be coordinated in the short term and how families with pending arrangements will be notified and supported. As of Monday, responders emphasized scene stabilization, preservation of evidence for the investigation, and continued monitoring for hotspots.

Cause of the fire remains under investigation

Authorities have not released a cause for the fire. Fire investigators are expected to examine potential ignition sources, building conditions, and the fire’s point of origin. In major structure fires, investigators typically work alongside local fire marshal personnel and may coordinate with additional agencies depending on findings.

• Location: Cook Brothers Funeral Directors and Cremations, Northwest Broad Street, Fairburn

• Timeline: Fire started Sunday afternoon and burned into Monday, January 19, 2026

• Key response priorities: Extinguishment, hotspot control, removal and protection of remains, and investigation support

Emergency crews focused on both fire suppression and the careful handling of remains as the building sustained severe damage.

Officials said updates will continue as the investigation proceeds and as assessments of structural damage and service continuity are completed.