Mountain City fire ruled arson by Fire Marshall
News May 27, 2021
ATLANTA – On May 24, a member of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King’s Fire Investigation Unit was requested to assist in a Rabun County fire on Electric Ave. The fire occurred just before 5:00 p.m. and caused minor damage to the 80-year-old, 1000-square-foot residence in Mountain City that was in the process of being renovated. This fire has been ruled Arson.
“The Rabun County Fire Department arrived to find the attic area of the house on fire,” said Commissioner King. “We are asking for the help of the community to bring the individual(s) responsible to justice and encourage anyone with information to call our anonymous tip line.”
Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit is assisting the Rabun County Fire Department with this investigation. In coordination with the State Fire Investigation Unit, a reward of up to $10,000 is offered by Georgia Arson Control for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson.
Anyone with information about this Rabun County fire is invited to call Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigators Unit at 1-800-282-5804. This anonymous hotline operates around the clock.
Grease fire shuts down Hardee’s in East Ellijay
News November 25, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – According to witnesses, the Hardee’s in East Ellijay on Industrial Blvd suffered a fire in the early hours of today, November 25, 2020.
While it is unclear if anyone was hurt by the fire, there appears to be no major damage to the exterior. However, it is our current understanding that the fire forced the restaurant to close for the day.
FYN has reached out to Gilmer County’s Public Safety and Gilmer Fire for details and is currently awaiting more information about the incident. FYN has been told that the fire started in the grease trap, but Gilmer Fire has not confirmed this.
Authorities were on scene this morning, but have since left the location.
State fire marshal investigating Greystone Building incident
News September 29, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner investigators are looking into the evening fire at the Greystone Building off Hwy. 515.
The fire began sometime before 9 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020. The Union County Fire Department (UCFD) worked quickly to extinguish the flames, but the building suffered substantial damage.
Located between Bank OZK and Burger King, the Greystone Building houses the Union County GOP Headquarters, Affordable Hearing Aid Solutions, and a chiropractor’s office.
The local GOP posted the following on their Facebook page:
“So sorry to report that our Headquarters was severely damaged by fire tonight. We hope to retrieve some of our items tomorrow. But we will be looking for another location. Please let us know if you know of a place. AND thanks to all the Union County firefighters who were able to extinguish the fire quickly.”
The group had just moved into the building in August to prepare for the upcoming general election.
Fetch Your News will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.
Feature image courtesy of Union County GOP.
Pet store catches fire, everyone marked safe
News July 2, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Everyone safely escaped from a midday fire on Tuesday, June 29, at Pet City USA on the Blue Ridge Hwy.
The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. after the people inside noticed a flickering light and smoke coming from the ceiling soon after.
Approximately 15 firefighters responded to the call and worked quickly to put it out. A ladder truck sprayed water down on the ceiling of the commercial structure, and at least, engine one was on hand to assist with ground support.
In this photo, crews used to hoses extinguish the fire from the ground.
As of now, the Union County Fire Department (UCFD) hasn’t determined the exact cause of the fire.
Due to the direction of the wind, firefighters combatted with excessive smoke blowing down on them. An estimated 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths result from smoke inhalation. It can cause asphyxiation, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and nausea. Signs of smoke inhalation include cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, headache, and acute mental status changes.
Pet City USA housed all times of animals from lizards to hamsters. The store had reopened from the COVID-19 economic shutdown. While all people made it out of the building, it’s unclear if all the animals inside escaped the fire.
Fetch Your News will update this article as more details become available. Images are courtesy of UCFD.
Firefighters enter the building.