ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A popular Helen restaurant was severely damaged in an early-morning fire on Thursday, according to the city’s fire department.
At around 1:45 a.m., Helen Fire & Rescue crews were headed back to the station from another call when they noticed smoke in the area. They followed it to Cowboys & Angels Restaurant on Chattahoochee Strasse and extinguished the flames.
Nobody was injured in the fire, crews said. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the owner, employees, and everyone affected by this incident during this difficult time,” the department said in a statement. “We know how much local businesses mean to our community, and we are keeping everyone impacted in our thoughts.”
Chris Williams, one of the restaurant’s owners, posted photos of the building’s scorched interior on social media. But despite the damage, he vowed to rebuild.
“Tonight, we got knocked down! Tomorrow, we start building it back better, stronger, and bigger than ever before!” he said.
The fire happened during Helen’s annual Oktoberfest, during which thousands of people descend on the Bavarian-themed village to enjoy beer, food, live music and more.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Dining and Cooking