The fire consumed Savway Tobacco and Second Generation Tattoo on Chapman Highway
"Kind of in shock," Tony Maskevich said. "Just put the sign up tonight."-
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KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Two neighboring South Knoxville businesses were badly damaged early Tuesday morning in a fire. Firefighters say the fire may not have been accidental.
The fire started just after midnight at Second Generation Tattoo and Savway Tobacco, 6017 and 6019 Chapman Highway.
Knoxville Fire Department spokesman D.J. Corcoran says when fire crews arrived they found flames shooting from a door of the tattoo parlor. Firefighters worked for several hours to put out the flames.
The tattoo parlor was new and set for a grand opening in just a few days.
Tony Maskevich and Gladys Riley are owners of the Second Generation tattoo parlor.
The business was set to receive its final inspection from the health department Tuesday, in hopes of opening its doors later this week.
"Kind of in shock," Maskevich said. "Just put the sign up tonight."
That opening has now been pushed back indefinitely.
"Different friends and volunteers that have helped us put this shop together is just, it's gone," he said.
The bulk of the damage was confined to the back of the building just behind the tattoo shop.
Investigators say that appears to be where the fire started and is where a passerby spotted the flames and called 9-1-1.
Arson investigators remained at the scene overnight.
"It seems to them that the fire started in the backdoor area and they are real curious about that situation," said Maskevich. "They definitely want to look at it in the morning."
The fire did reach the attic and caused extensive damage to the ceiling and ductwork.
The owners of the tobacco shop say their damage isn't nearly as bad and hope to open their doors before the end of the day.
As for the tattoo parlor, they are now looking toward the future.
"It's just another hurdle that we have to jump over," Maskevich said.
He says he plans to fall back on his other tattoo shop until they can figure out what to do next.
No one was injured during that fire. The cause remains under investigation.
