Explosion Causes Fire at Barrow County Home

Barrow County Fire officials are working to determine the cause of an explosion which resulted in a fire at a Barrow County home on Jan. 25.

The fire, reported just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday, occurred at a residence in the 300 block of Scenic Lane.

"Upon arrival firefighters found a split level home that was fully involved in fire," Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin said in a released statement. "The home was ignited after an explosion occurred. Firefighters went into a defensive attack on the fire due to the amount of fire and damage to the home."

Six adults and two teenagers escaped the fire unharmed. The home, Dakin explained, was a total loss. The cause of the explosion and the subsequent fire remain under investigation.

"Due to the amount of damage caused by the fire, and the fact that there was some type of explosion it will take extra work to determine what all happened," stated Chief Fire Investigator Lieutenant Blair Darst. "We will be working with several outside experts on this investigation to determine the origin and cause."

Barrow County firefighters also responded to two other fires over the weekend.

On Sunday, Jan. 26, crews were dispatched to a structure fire in the 600 block of Highway 211.

"Smoke was visible through the windows of the home at the arrival of firefighters," Dakin explained. "Upon investigation they found a small fire located near the middle of the home."

The fire was quickly extinguished and was determined to have been an intentional human act. The home was vacant and under renovation at the time of the fire. The investigation is being handled by the Fire Investigation Division and the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, Dakin indicated.

On Monday, Jan. 27, firefighters responded to a trailer fire in the 900 block of Austin Road. Crews found a construction trailer fully involved upon arrival. As of 11:30 a.m., the cause of the fire remains under investigation.