Generator blamed for Saturday Structure Fire

Rabun County Fire Services responded to a report of a structure fire at 1600 Cat Gap Road in the Persimmon Community on Saturday, Oct. 31. Fire Stations 3, 10, and 12 were dispatched at 2:02pm to the single-family residence. The first personnel on scene advised of a two-story log structure with the rear portion well-involved with fire. The fire had progressed into the main living area and extended upstairs into an addition on the right side of the structure. An aggressive interior attack was made and the fire was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes. Four hundred feet of supply hose was used from the roadway up to the scene due to the driveway condition. A tanker shuttle operation was utilized for water supply from a creek approximately one mile from the address. The last apparatus left the scene at 5:42pm. The living area sustained major fire damage with the loft floor above it partially collapsing. No injuries were reported and the American Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants. The fire is believed to have been caused by a generator being operated too close to a pile of wood located at the rear of the house. The generator was in operation due to no power in the area. As a reminder, always operate generators well away from anything combustible and be mindful of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from their exhaust.