State fire investigators say arson is to blame for a fire that displaced several residents in Rabun County. The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. on December 1 and heavily damaged a home at 1359 Camp Creek Road.
The home was roughly 20 years old and 2,600 square feet, according to investigators. It was owned by someone in Florida who had converted the house into four residential apartment units. Everyone inside the burning building escaped.
When Rabun County firefighters arrived on the scene, they reported seeing flames in the basement and garage area of the two-story dwelling. The basement was used for storage and that’s where investigators believe the fire started. “Fire was spreading rapidly up into the apartment above the basement,” says Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch.
Firefighters attacked the blaze through the basement and moved onto the main floor. They brought the fire under control within twenty minutes.
Flames breached the floor of one apartment, causing heavy fire damage. Another apartment sustained fire and water damage while the other units sustained smoke damage.
Rabun EMS treated one person on the scene. Firefighters called in the Red Cross to assist the displaced residents.
If you have information about this fire, please contact the 24-hour tip line for the State Fire Investigations Unit at 1-800-252-5804. You may remain anonymous.
