A White County family lost their home to fire but escaped unharmed thanks to a passerby’s quick action early Tuesday.
White County Fire Services says around 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, a passerby saw the house on fire at the intersection of Highway 254 and Hwy. 115 East. They stopped and alerted the residents, then called 911.
Everyone evacuated safely from the home as the fire quickly spread.
“Initial reports indicated the fire originated in the chimney and quickly spread to the upper level of the home. Upon arrival, firefighters determined the home to be a total loss and quickly spread to full involvement,” says White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett.
Firefighters contained the blaze with mutual aid from Habersham County Emergency Services and Lee Arrendale State Prison. White County Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) also responded to assist the firefighters in recovery efforts.
Firefighters remained at the property throughout the morning to prevent the fire from reigniting.
White County officials publicly commended the passerby whose quick thinking and action likely saved lives.
“Without this intervention, the outcome could have been far more tragic,” says Bryce.
