The flames burned wild in windswept conditions at the last vestiges of a historic plant in Cedartown two weeks ago.

Hot enough that copper wiring melted, it damaged the roadway and the building’s rubble continued to smolder for days on end. All this despite more than 1 million gallons of water sprayed on the blaze and periods of heavy rainfall across Polk.

Old wood and decades of machine oil and dust remained lit at least up until this past weekend due to the heat of the fire that broke out on February 27.

Now that the smoldering remains are no longer a problem, work crews have been out to start clearing the roadway and hopefully get West Avenue back open to motorists.

Cedartown City Manager Edward Guzman said plans are to announce a restricted speed opening through the strip of West Avenue from Prior Street to North Second Street impacted by the fire.

Additional information is expected by the end of business today, or tomorrow based on the roadway condition still being assessed.

UPDATE: The roadway will be open as of 3:15 p.m. after the city determined roadway conditions are good enough to allow for restricted driving on West Avenue through the damaged area.

Guzman reported that paving will need to be completed before the restrictions on speed are lifted.

Cedartown Fire Chief Kyle Watters reported no new updates about the fire itself. State Fire Marshals Office investigators are responsible in this case for determining the cause of the blaze.

Updates are expected on the road closure soon. Check back for more information as it becomes available.