Early Morning Residential Fire Contained Through Multi-Agency Response

White County Fire Services responded to a residential structure fire shortly after midnight on Tuesday, July 28, in the 100 block of Gus Abernathy Road in the Sautee community.

White County 911 Communications received the initial call at 12:00AM, reporting an RV on fire approximately 10 feet from a residence. While firefighters were responding, dispatchers continued to receive updates from the caller indicating the fire had spread to nearby trees and eventually to a two-story home.

The first arriving crews found a fully involved outbuilding with fire extending into approximately 20 percent of the residence. Firefighters established command and initiated an aggressive fire attack while protecting exposures and preventing further spread.

Due to the size and complexity of the incident, Helen Fire Department and the Habersham County Emergency Services responded in Mutual Aid. Their assistance provided additional personnel, apparatus, and water supply resources that were instrumental in bringing the fire under control.

Firefighters made entry into the structure and conducted an interior attack, ultimately bringing the fire under control before extinguishing remaining fire in the attic and roof. Crews remained on scene for several hours performing overhaul operations and ensuring all remaining hot spots were extinguished.

All occupants safely evacuated the residence prior to firefighters’ arrival, and no civilian injuries were reported.

The homeowners were given information regarding assistance through the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time.