A family escaped from their burning apartment Tuesday evening in Baldwin. The fire broke out at a residence at 108 King Street shortly before 6:30 p.m. on March 18.
According to Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy, the three occupants of the apartment and the family pets escaped the fire. He said that there were no injuries reported at the scene.
Firefighters from Cornelia, Habersham Emergency Services, and Lee Arrendale State Prison also responded to the fire to assist Baldwin.
Roy said that the fire started outside at the back of the house from a stump being burned. Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Benfield added that the fire spread by catching outdoor furniture and other items at the rear of the structure on fire that accelerated the spread to the house.
According to Benfield, the affected unit is a total loss. Fortunately, the brick wall that divided the duplex stopped the fire from spreading to the second unit.
The Red Cross has been contacted to assist the residents affected by the fire.
Benfield said that the fire is under investigation and that the State Fire Marshal was en route to assist in the investigation. He added that a fire crew will remain on scene late into the evening to assist the Fire Marshal if needed.
