White County firefighters found themselves in an unusual predicament Monday night when a treehouse – also known as a “pedestal” house – went up in flames. The fire broke out inside the suspended rental cabin at 184 Walnut Ridge Drive around 8:30 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters from White County, with mutual aid from Cleveland City and Lee Arrendale, responded to the call. White County Public Safety Director David Murphy says it appears the fire started in the fireplace “and something within the system malfunctioned.”
The Georgia Forestry Commission also responded to the fire because it spread from the structure into the wooded area. “Firefighters quickly gained control of the woods and structure fire and remained on scene for a significant time of overhaul,” says Murphy.
No injuries were reported, and the occupants were moved to another rental on site. The State Fire Marshal has been called to investigate.
Short-term rental treehouses and pedestal houses are common in tourist areas but are relatively new to White County. Murphy says they pose a challenge to first responders when emergencies, such as this fire, occur. The cabin that burned Monday had only been open for about a month. It was heavily damaged in the blaze.
Murphy says these type structures “do concern me” from a public safety standpoint, however, he adds, “according to our building department these meet building codes and engineering standards.”
