Hall family escapes burning home

GAINESVILLE - Members of a North Hall family awoke to a fire in their home early Tuesday and managed to get out without being hurt.

County fire marshal Scott Cagle says the 4:00 blaze destroyed the home of Ronnie and Sally Motes on Cardinal Drive in Timberidge Estates. The 12'x60' mobile home was 80 percent involved in flames when the first units arrived, acccording to Cagle, who said he is not sure what awakened the family. He had not had time - as of mid-morning Tuesday - to determine if working smoke detectors were in use.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the family in finding shelter and to provide for their other needs. Hall County Animal Control was called to assist with the family's pets.

A few hours earlier, about 7:00, a detached garage caught fire at the Nash Circle home of Norm O'Bonnon. Cagle says O'Bonnon was working in the garage at the time, using welding equipment that sparked the blaze. In addtion to the garage, an antique car, a 1940 Buick, was destroyed by the fire. The total loss was placed at $45,000.

There were no injuries in that fire, either, according to Cagle.