Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
Vivian O’nay and Warehouse231, Montgomery and Wetumpka local businesses on Highway 231, catch fire, Sept. 20, 2025, after an exhaust fan ignited an electrical fire, according to officials.
The 911 call came in at 12:25 p.m., and the Wetumpka Fire Department was dispatched at 12:28 p.m. They were on scene within one minute of being dispatched. At 12:30 p.m., the North Montgomery Fire Department was dispatched as well.
Vivian O’nay, a fashion boutique voted “Best Boutique” three years in a row, and Warehouse231, a music studio and performance venue located behind the shop, were both self-evacuated without injury. First responders also evacuated Little Lambs Preschool next door. Staff quickly accounted for all students and worked with fire crews and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department to reunite children with their families.
“Life safety was the primary worry at the beginning of the fire, but procedures went perfectly,” said Wade Lyles, Director of Montgomery City/County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
The response included crews from Montgomery, Santuck, Emerald Mountain, Eclectic, Redland, Tallassee, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office, Wetumpka Police Department, and EMAs from Montgomery and Elmore counties.
“This was a real-world scenario test of how we can all work together,” said Lyles. “Everybody worked together well, bringing resources together to improve communication and coordination.”
The fire was extinguished around 5 p.m., but crews from North Montgomery, Waugh-Mount Meigs, and Coosada remained on scene into the evening to conduct mop-up operations, ensuring nothing would rekindle the fire.
“It was nice to see all the volunteers and departments outside of jurisdiction making sure everybody was taken care of and safe,” said Lyles.
Both businesses will be closed until further notice, but each has expressed their gratitude for the first responders who rushed to help and for the community’s kindness during this time.
“Please know, this will not keep us down,” said a recent post on Vivian O’Nay’s Facebook page. “We will be back.”
