Firefighters battle Structure Fire on Lacount Drive 

By Frankie Deitz, Asst. Fire Chief of Toccoa

Around 6 pm Wednesday, April 16, firefighters from Toccoa, Shiloh, and Eastanollee were dispatched to Lacount Drive for a reported structure fire with someone inside.  At the time of dispatch, heavy black smoke was already visible rising from the area.  Arriving units were faced with a single wide mobile home with heavy fire showing from half the structure, a storage shed, multiple vehicles, car parts and the woods surrounding the area were all on fire.  Firefighters used four- 1 3/4″ attack lines to bring the blazes under control.  No one was in the residence at the time of the fire, but several cats succumbed to the smoke.  The American Red Cross was called to provide assistance to the occupants who lost all of their possessions.

Weather conditions played a role in the well-advanced state of this fire.  The property owner was burning a few cardboard boxes, and with the humidity in the teens, and a light breeze blowing, the fire quickly spread throughout the property.  Residents are encouraged not to burn when it is windy and the humidity is low.  Only natural vegetation such as leaves and brush are legal to burn.  Piles should be kept small, 50 feet away from any structures, and 25 feet from woodlands, fires must be attended and measures to keep it from spreading should be in place.  Just as in the case of any out-of-control fire, 911 should be called immediately before any actions are taken to fight the fire.

It is a good general safety measure to keep combustible debris away from your home.  Outside piles or stacks of combustible items can quickly spread an outdoor fire to your home.  We continue to encounter residents who do not maintain a working smoke detector in their home.  Due to a recent deadly fire and a rash of other home fires with significant losses, a local 5th grade student Cecelia Moore started an initiative to encourage home safety.  She raised funds and donated boxes of smoke alarms to the fire department to be used in our community.  Residents who are in need of a smoke detector are encouraged to contact the fire department, to have one installed.  If you are renting a home or apartment, renters insurance is affordable and gives you a level of protection, as your belongings are not covered by the owners insurance policy.