Augusta, GA

Tragedy Strikes: Augusta Apartments Ravaged by Late Night Fire

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2024

Tragedy Strikes: Augusta Apartments Ravaged by Late Night Fire

Late Wednesday night, tragedy struck the Nine Two Six West Apartments in Augusta as a devastating fire tore through an apartment building, leaving multiple families displaced and in shock.

The incident, which unfolded shortly before 11 PM, drew a massive response from local police and the fire department, with reports indicating a scene engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Residents like Vanessa Holden recounted her disbelief as she came back home that night. “I came out here and all I could do was just watch everything go to pieces,” Holden, highlighted the emotional toll and financial strain now facing her and others affected.

Eyewitness Alexis Johnson described the chaotic scene as emergency vehicles arrived at the complex. “We saw like maybe 20 to 30 emergency vehicles. It was just completely ablaze. Smoke was everywhere… It was hard to breathe,” Alexis recalled, painting a vivid picture of the intense firefighting efforts amidst the holiday backdrop.

Authorities received an initial call reporting sounds of fireworks hours before the fire broke out, prompting speculation about a possible connection.

Two emails sent to residents underscored the seriousness of the situation, one notifying them of heightened emergency presence and another reiterating the strict prohibition of fireworks on the property.

The fire ravaged a total of 16 units. Vanessa Holden, one of the unfortunate residents affected, expressed gratitude for the support of organizations like the Red Cross and the property management team.

“Financial assistance about 300 and up… The property manager told me that they would get back to me since I have renter’s insurance.” Vanessa shared, highlighting the financial uncertainties compounded by the loss.

While Vanessa’s apartment was damaged, Alexis Johnson expressed solidarity with her less fortunate neighbors. “It’s devastating… a lot of people lost their homes and a lot of their belongings,” Alexis empathized.

One injury was reported as a resident escaped from their balcony during the chaos.

However, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined as investigations continue.

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Related Topics:16 926 alexis apartments augusta county ema families Featured fire holden johnson Office Redcross Richmond sheriff units Vanessa west

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Augusta, GA

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

Published

2 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large law enforcement presence Thursday morning at a home in west Augusta near Fort Gordon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force were in the area attempting to find a suspect, according to deputies.

Witnesses said around 11:25 a.m. that officers had been surrounding a home at Harper-Franklin Avenue and Covington Court.

That’s in a neighborhood of mostly two-story brick-fronted homes built in the past three or four years just east of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and a couple of blocks north of Gordon Highway.

As noon approached, law enforcement had left.

But a Facebook post from earlier did show a large presence,including marked and unmarked cars, and officers all around the house. A witness said police dogs were on the scene, as well.

News 12 has reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for information.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

Published

14 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.

“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”

Multiple Commission seats up for election

The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.

District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.

Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.

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Augusta, GA

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are investigating their first homicide of 2026, which occurred early Monday morning on Hines Street just off Laney Walker Boulevard.

The victim was 21-year-old Thaddeus Kirkland. He was found bleeding on scene around 2 a.m. and died a short time later.

Suspect wanted for questioning

Deputies are seeking 24-year-old Bruce Wesby for questioning in connection to the incident. Wesby is known to frequent the Waynesboro area. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Crime data shows progress in 2025

The first homicide of 2026 happened five days into the new year, two days sooner than the first homicide of 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office data, violent crime decreased significantly in 2025 under Sheriff Eugene Brantley’s leadership. Homicides dropped 35% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025 to their lowest level since 2021.

Aggravated assaults also dropped 35% to their lowest mark since 2018. Armed robberies fell 36% year-over-year to their lowest mark since crime data for Richmond County was first recorded in 2011.

Law enforcement focused on high-risk areas, including downtown Augusta, to lower response times and keep people safe.

“What they really want is for their families that they’re raising in this area to have safe lives, just like the citizens of Augusta that vote them in,” said M. Steven Fishman, president of Sidney’s Department Store & Uniforms. “They want to be able to go to work, come home, and enjoy their lives with their children, knowing that they’re safe.”

As 2026 gets underway, the sheriff’s office is continuing upgrades for technology and equipment to continue its goal of reducing violent crime. The office sent a statement saying the progress is in large part due to the community and deputies working together.

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