In a shocking turn of events, the beloved UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, South Carolina, has been reduced to ashes after a devastating fire engulfed the quirky roadside attraction early this morning. At approximately 6:30 a.m., flames erupted, consuming the 30-year-old structure built by local eccentric Jodi Pendarvis, who envisioned a welcoming space for extraterrestrial visitors. Firefighters battled the blaze but were unable to save the iconic homemade flying saucer, which had drawn tourists for decades with its bizarre charm and Pendarvis’s captivating tales of potential alien encounters.
Witnesses described the scene as heartbreaking, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky as the building—crafted from wood, fiberglass, and found materials—was lost in mere hours. Pendarvis, now 73, narrowly escaped the inferno, watching helplessly as years of hard work and creativity went up in flames. “I can’t believe it went up so quick,” he lamented, reflecting on the loss of not just a tourist attraction, but a piece of Americana that embodied the unique spirit of roadside oddities.
This tragic incident marks the end of an era for a site that had become a staple for travelers seeking the strange and unusual. The UFO Welcome Center was more than just a quirky stop; it was a testament to the vibrant eccentricity that once peppered America’s highways, now increasingly replaced by corporate sameness. As the community grapples with the loss, questions remain about whether Pendarvis will rebuild his beloved attraction, leaving many to wonder if they will ever see a UFO in Bowman again.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story and the impact of this loss on the local community and tourists alike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_acGHTsKQ4M
