Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections Center damaged by fire

SCOTTSBORO, AL (WAFF) - A fire gutted the Jackson County Court Referral and Community Corrections Center in downtown Scottsboro early Tuesday.

There is minimal damage to the outside of the center, but that isn't the case inside.

Director Brandon Brown said he's thankful the fire wasn't any worse, which he credits to quick work of their next-door neighbors, Scottsboro Fire & Rescue.

"The fire department had already had it put out, we are right next to the fire department. So it didn't take it them long to get here. But by the time they got here flames we're coming out," said Brown.

The center works closely with the Jackson County court system through drug testing and supervision, so there were a lot of records stored inside.

Brown said they do have paper files, and they also use a state reporting system that backs everything up for them.

He's unsure of the extent of the damage to their files.

The center remains in operation with the exception of temporary office space, which they hope to find Wednesday.

"We'll be trying to determine different options to determine what we're going to be doing Wednesday morning, going into the morning," added Brown.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire at this time.

The fire department continues to work with Scottsboro police and the state fire marshal.

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