DEMOREST – An overnight fire at a chicken house in western Habersham County resulted in a $600,000 loss.
At 12:28 a.m., Habersham County E-9-1-1 received a call reporting a structure fire at 393 Blue Creek Farm and dispatched Stations 13, 16, 17, Medic 21, Battalion 1 and Captain 1 on initial assignment, according to Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black. Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department also responded.
“Upon arrival, units reported in initial size-up a large chicken house with heavy fire showing, approximately one-fourth total involvement of the structure,” Black said. “Units went into a defensive mode, battling the fire from the exterior and also had a large LP cylinder they had to keep cooled due to the fire impingement from the structure.”
Because there are no hydrants in the area to provide water supply, a White County Fire Services tanker was called to assist.
“At this point, it’s undetermined as to cause of fire, but there were storms in the area at the time of this incident,” Black said.
Earlier Thursday night, fire crews in Habersham County responded to a house fire near Demorest.
At 6:58 p.m., Habersham County E-9-1-1 received a call reporting a possible structure fire on Pheasant Drive in Demorest.
“This was called in the by the next-door neighbor, who reported seeing smoke coming from the house,” Black said. “Habersham 9-1-1 dispatched Habersham County’s Engines 13, 14, Medic 21, Battalion 1, Captain 1, Demorest Fire and [Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department] on the assignment.”
Smoke and fire were showing from the 1,000-square-foot, wood-frame house when the first units arrived, according to Black.
“An aggressive interior attack was made on a room and contents fire that extended into one other room,” Black said.
There was smoke damage throughout the structure, and only two rooms sustained actual fire damage.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate.
