Lake Rabun home engulfed by flames

A Lake Rabun home was overtaken by flames this past weekend.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch, “at approximately 4:18 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 Rabun County Fire Services was dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Hartwell Lane. Hartwell Lane is located off Brandon Mill Road on the backside of Lake Rabun.”

“Dispatch advised that the caller stated heavy fire was visible. Station’s 4, 7, and 12 were dispatched initially. Habersham Station #17 was requested to respond due to the location of the fire. The first fire units on scene advised that the house had already collapsed into the basement and that they were protecting a detached garage on the property,” Upchurch said.

According to Upchurch, the last apparatus left the scene at approximately 9:20 a.m., five hours after the initial engines responded. As of Tuesday, the cause of the fire is undetermined.

Upchurch reported that no one was home at the time of the fire.

“Fortunately, no one was home at the residence so injuries were reported,” he said.

One way to help reduce property damage when homeowners are away is to have an alarm system or surveillance camera(s) at your residence so you can become notified of any activity that may be going on according to Upchurch.