It may be months before the Popeye’s Restaurant on Shorter Avenue can re-open, following a fire at the West Rome business last Friday.

Firefighters responded to the location just after 10:30am, to find heavy smoke coming from the interior of the building.

The building had already been evacuated with everyone getting out safely.  Firefighters say the blaze, which caused extensive damage, is believed to have started in a storage closet.

It now appears, Rome Police are investigating the disappearance of two money bags, which went missing during the confusion Friday morning as people were being evacuated.

According to reports those bags, containing a total of around $1,400 were lying on the front counter prior to the fire.

The investigation into the matter is on-going.

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com/Coosa Valley News/www.coosavalleynews.com)