Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said crews from both the county and city of Gainesville fire departments were called to the scene about 3:15 a.m. Thursday. He said the 1800-square-foot structure was vacant and almost burned to the ground by the time crews arrived.
"There were a couple of mattresses - mattress springs - found in the fire," said Cagle. "This [building] could have been used by vagrants, could have been a hangout for teenagers - both were stated by neighbors to have been the case."
Cagle said there was no power to the building, and it appeared to have been vacant for some time. He said residents in the area also told authorities the building had been used as a church at one point.
While the burning structure was located close to occupied homes in the area, Cagle said none of those buildings was damaged.
Fire investigators are expected to be on the scene later in the day.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/12/269045