The severe storm system that killed at least five people in Alabama on Thursday also caused damage in Habersham. Lightning struck four houses in the county, sparking three house fires.
According to Habersham County Emergency Services, the first fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. on March 25 at 289 North Laurel Drive in Clarkesville. Another sparked hours later at 245 Pinecrest Road off of Orchard Road.
“Crews arrived to find minor damage to the residence and assisted the homeowner in making sure there was no other damage throughout the house,” says HCES Battalion Chief Matt Ruark.
Around 10 p.m., firefighters responded to another call at 221 Crest Winds Drive west of Clarkesville. There they discovered heavy fire conditions in the crawl space of a 3000 square-foot home. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading. No one was injured. The American Red Cross was called to assist the family.
Cornelia and White County firefighters assisted Habersham at the scene of a fourth lightning strike, this one at 2048 River Bend Road. Crews checked the house for damage. They determined the fire did not spread past where the lightning struck.
This article has been updated to include additional information
