Officials say electrical shorts are responsible for two residential fires that displaced families near Clarkesville. The fires broke out three hours apart overnight.
The first fire ignited around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday in the basement of a home at 291 New Liberty Road. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke showing from inside the 2400 square foot structure. They made an aggressive interior attack and extinguished the flames.
“The fire was contained to the basement area, but the entire structure did experience smoke damage throughout,” says Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black.
The residents safely escaped the burning house but lost a pet in the fire. Due to the extent of the damage, they were unable to remain in the home. Investigators determined an electrical short in a dehumidifier in the basement caused the blaze.
A short time later, firefighters received a report of another fire at 235 Park Place in Clarkesville. Units arrived there to find light smoke showing from a mobile home.
“Upon further investigation, the issue was a short in an electrical outlet that had overheated and melted causing only smoke and an electrical odor inside the structure,” says Black.
Utility crews cut electricity to the home. The Red Cross is assisting the family until repairs can be made.
