Man safely escapes burning house with his two dogs
State investigators say a hot grill and ashes may be to blame for a fire that destroyed a Cornelia man’s residence over the weekend. The fire broke out at the home of 53-year-old John Dudek at 351 Elberta Street in Cornelia before dawn Sunday.
Dudek told investigators he had been grilling on his back porch earlier in the evening.
“The area of origin was determined to be on the back covered porch of the residence,” says State Fire Marshal spokesman Glenn Allen. “At this time the hot grill and ashes cannot be eliminated as a possible cause of the fire.”
Dudek escaped the fire with his two dogs and called 911.
Habersham County firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they immediately requested Cornelia fire units and then Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute (LACI) firefighters to assist.
Cornelia firefighters were dispatched around 2 a.m. When they arrived the house was fully involved. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours.
(Photos/Alisa Siharath)
