Fire near Alto displaces mother, two small children

Firefighters from Habersham County Emergency Services, Baldwin Fire Department, and Georgia Department of Corrections Station 24 work at the scene of Tuesday night’s fire on Gainesville Highway. (Rob Moore/Habersham County)

A mother and her children got out alive but lost all their belongings when the camper they were living in went up in flames.

As Now Habersham first reported, the late-night fire Tuesday destroyed the camper the family was living in near Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto. Following our request for information, the county public information officer released details of the fire that left the family homeless.

Flames ’30-feet high’

At 10:18 p.m. on Nov. 14, Habersham County E-911 received a call reporting a house fire on Gainesville Highway at Smokey Road with “flames as high as 30 feet.”

Firefighters from Habersham County Emergency Services, the Baldwin Fire Department, and Lee Arrendale State Prison responded.

When firefighters arrived, they reported a fully involved travel trailer in the backyard of a mobile home, says county PIO Rob Moore.

LISTEN: Habersham County Emergency Services Battalion Chief Dwight McNally

Habersham County Emergency Services Engine 12 and Baldwin Engine 42 are shown at the scene of Tuesday night’s fire on Gainesville Highway. (Rob Moore/Habersham County)

No injuries

“No injuries on the fire,” says Habersham County Emergency Services Battalion Chief Dwight McNally. “Everyone was outside of the residence, and it was a complete loss, unfortunately.”

Officials contacted the American Red Cross to assist the displaced family. Friends say they lost everything.

“There was no damage to other structures,” McNally says. “It was contained to the travel trailer of origin.”

Law enforcement temporarily shut down Gainesville Highway to protect a water hose connected to a hydrant across the street. The road remained closed between Grant Mill Road and Smokey Road until crews finished their work.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.