Cornelia’s Fire Marshal says it could take up to thirty days for investigators to determine what caused a fire that left a Cornelia family homeless.
The fire displaced two adults and two children who lived in the home and killed four of the family’s five dogs.
“The fire does not appear suspicious,” says Cornelia Fire Marshal Josh Hazle. His office is working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office on the investigation.
The fire broke out shortly after 1 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, at 116 Wood Street in Cornelia. Police arrived on the scene within four minutes and found the structure was already fifty percent involved, says Hazle. “They were able to verify that all occupants were out of the residence except for the family dogs.”
Be the time fire units arrived “minutes later” Hazle says the structure was already seventy-five percent involved with heavy fire showing from the front and sides of the house.
The Cornelia Fire Department requested additional assistance from Habersham County Emergency Services and the Demorest Fire Department. Within an hour, firefighters had the blaze under control. They remained on the scene until 5 a.m., overhauling and putting out hot spots.
“We did recover four of the five dogs,” Hazel says. “Unfortunately, they did not survive.” He says one of the family’s dogs remains unaccounted for at this time.
The Red Cross was notified to assist the displaced family.
Cornelia Fire Chief Billy Jenkins extends his thanks to the other departments that were involved for their quick response and assistance.
