A fire started by a heating lamp left on the front porch to keep pet cats warm caused significant damage Saturday to a house in Barrow County.
Firefighters responded to the scene in the 1400 block of Carl-Bethlehem Road about 9:15 p.m., according to a news release from Barrow County Emergency Services. The first units reported heavy fire coming from the front of the home and spreading to the roof. Crews were able to knock back the flames enough to enter the house
The two residents of the house escaped without injury, and a search team discovered the family’s dog hiding under a bed. The dog was unharmed and reunited with its owners.
Fire Investigators determined Sunday that the fire was accidently started by a heating lamp that had been placed on the front porch to warm some of the family’s pets.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the residents.
The home suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage, but the fire was stopped before most of the home’s structure and roof were burned.
“This home is what we refer to as ‘legacy construction.’” Said Lt. Steve Rose, public information officer for Barrow County Emergency Services. “That means that the house was built many years ago, and the techniques and materials used back then are better able to withstand prolonged exposure to fire.
The homeowners told Rose the house was built more than 50 years ago and some of the lumber was harvested off the property where the house sits.
