A toppled tree sparked a transformer fire in Clarkesville Monday evening, knocking out electricity to nearby homes and businesses.
The tree fell across West Water Street between Allen Russell Drive and Bartley Wilbanks Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. Ulous Harris and his wife Ella were inside their home when they heard the commotion.
“We were sitting right there in the house when the power went out. Then I heard a big boom, and I peeked out and saw that a transformer blowed,” he said.
Clarkesville firefighters sprayed down the grass beneath the burning tree to prevent the fire from spreading in the brisk winds. They had to wait for Georgia Power to secure the lines before they could spray water on them.
Earlier in the day, emergency crews responded to a call on Hollywood Highway involving another downed tree that fell across the road and caused a wreck when a pickup truck struck it head-on.
