Two families displaced in New Holland fire

GAINESVILLE - A lunch-hour fire in the New Holland Mill community damaged a duplex, displacing two families and killing five pets.

Hall County fire authorities were called to the scene at #5 East Main Street off Jesse Jewell Parkway just before 12:30 Tuesday afternoon. East Main and part of Jesse Jewell were blocked for a time as the fire was extinguished.

Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said no one was hurt in the fire.

"There have been some pets that have passed," he said. The five animals were located in a kennel in the home.

The American Red Cross has been called to assist the five people who occupied the duplex.

Damages have been placed at $40,000 and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.