CORNELIA – Cornelia Fire Department officials have released more information about the fire that destroyed a Mt. Airy home Tuesday afternoon.
“At approximately 11:38 on May 7, Cornelia Fire Department was dispatched to 556 Redbud Lane in Mt. Airy, in response to residential structure fire,” said Assistant Chief Shane Bentley. “Mt. Airy Police Chief Tim Jarrell and an off-duty Cornelia firefighter were the first to arrive on scene, with the report of heavy smoke, and flames showing on the back of the structure.”
When Bentley arrived, his on-scene report included heavy smoke and fire on the back and right side of the two-story, split-level structure.
Next arriving units included personnel and apparatus from Cornelia Fire Department, Demorest Fire Department, Habersham County Emergency Services, and Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department.
Additionally, Mt. Airy’s public works department responded to ensure adequate water pressure was readily available.
“Firefighters engaged in aggressive defensive and offensive attack to bring the fire under control within one hour of first arriving units,” Bentley said.
Bentley said the wife and youngest child were home at the time of the fire, but were able to escape safely. A total of six occupants, including four children, lived in the home.
“We are fortunate to report that there were no injuries suffered to the family or any fire service personnel. With the help of Red Cross, we were able to relocate them from this devastation,” Bentley said.
The cause and determination of the fire remain under investigation.
Redbud Lane is located inside Ivy Hills Subdivision in Mt. Airy.
Cornelia provides fire protection to the Town of Mt. Airy through an annual contract on a cost-per-structure basis.
That contract renewal, for 453 buildings inside Mt. Airy, was approved by the Mt. Airy Town Council Monday night and the Cornelia City Commission Tuesday night. The cost to Mt. Airy is $88.43 per building, or $40,058.79, for the upcoming year.
“Cornelia Fire Department would like to thank Demorest Fire Department, Habersham County Emergency Services, and LASP Fire Department for their quick response and hard work in assisting CFD on this call,” Bentley said.
