Reignited Outdoor Fire Damages Outbuilding, Vehicles

An outdoor fire Monday reignited Tuesday creating a blaze that damaged two vehicles and an outbuilding at a Statham location.

At 4:54 p.m. Tuesday, communication officers with Barrow County Emergency Services received a 911 call reporting a grass fire that was spreading toward an outbuilding at 267 Jones Road in Statham. Engine 1 and Med 1 responded and found a ½-acre grass fire that had ignited an outbuilding.

“Firefighters found the building about 30 percent involved and a vehicle burning as well,” said Lt. Scott Dakin, spokesman for BCES. “The fire was also spreading to other buildings.”

Firefighters worked quickly to control the fire and protect exposures. The outbuilding suffered extensive damage and the fire destroyed the contents. The fire also damaged two vehicles. The cause of the fire was determined to be a reigniting of a outdoor fire from the previous day.

At 5:28 p.m. Tuesday communication officers received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at 484 Akins Road in Statham. Engines 3 and 6, Med 6 and Battalion 1 responded.

“Crews found heavy smoke showing upon arrival,” Dakin said. “They made an aggressive interior attack and found heavy fire conditions in the kitchen area of the home.”

The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the home, but the house suffered extensive smoke damage throughout. The fire investigation unit responded to conduct an origin and cause investigation, which indicated the cause of the fire was unattended cooking on the stove. Residents were able to escape the home safely and firefighters were able to rescue family pets.