Fire investigators still have not determined what caused a blaze that destroyed a multi-million dollar home on Lake Burton this weekend. The fire broke out at a vacant residence located at 87 Lynchburg Lane just after 5 a.m. Saturday, August 1.
“It was reported by neighbors that they heard an explosion prior to seeing the home engulfed in flames,” says Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch.
When units arrived on the scene, the 4000-square-foot lake house was fully involved. Due to the fire’s location and the fact half their crew was working another structure fire on the other side of the county, Rabun County Fire Services requested mutual aid from Habersham County Emergency Services. Lee Arrendale firefighters also responded.
Unable to save the home, crews took a defensive attack. They shuttled in water from a nearby hydrant with tanker trucks and used a fireboat to fight the flames from the lake side.
Neighbors advised firefighters no one was living in the residence. It was listed for sale with several local realty companies with an asking price of $3.4 million.
The home was a total loss.
As firefighters were battling the blaze on Lake Burton, other crews were fighting to save a home southeast of Clayton.
A single-family home at 143 Begonia Court caught fire after it was struck by lightning. When units arrived, there were flames showing from the eaves of the garage attached to the 1500-square-foot structure.
“A quick fire attack was made and that resulted in a fast knockdown with the fire contained to the garage area with the only extension into the wall between the garage and living area,” Upchurch says.
(Video by Mark Brooks)
This article has been updated with new information
