Cornelia Fire Department was dispatched Sunday night April 28 to a possible commercial apartment fire at The Peaks apartment complex in Cornelia. Fire units were dispatched at 9:15 p.m. to respond to 1100 Peaks Circle. Units from Baldwin, Demorest, Lee Arrendale, and Habersham Emergency Services responded to provide automatic aid.
According to a press release from Cornelia Fire Marshal Josh Hazle, when units arrived, they found no fire showing from the apartment building and residents of the building had been evacuated. Firefighters found that the fire alarm had been activated by a resident to alert occupants of a possible hazard
Firefighters determined that there was a power issue occurring in the 1100 building due to lights flashing on and off.
Personnel on scene cut the power to the building and checked eight apartment units for any signs of fire or other possible hazards to the residents. All firefighters found were tripped breakers in the units due to the power going on and off creating power surges.
Residents were not allowed to return to their apartments until Georgia Power arrived to determine the cause of the power issue. The property manager opened the clubhouse at the apartment complex for residents to wait.
According to Hazle, the Red Cross was notified and on standby in the event residents had to be relocated.
Georgia Power determined that the issue was caused by an underground wire and dispatched a crew to replace the line.
After the cause was determined, Georgia Power and fire personnel allowed the residents to return to their respective apartments.
Responding units remained on scene as a precaution until 11:48 p.m.
