STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. — Firefighters saved a commercial building from being destroyed after a large brush fire threatened it New Year’s Eve in Stephens County.
The fire broke out around noon Wednesday near Highway 123 and East Tugalo Street. According to Carnes Creek Fire Department Public Information Officer and firefighter Lee Woody, the blaze was fully contained around 3 p.m. following a coordinated, multi-agency response.
Crews ‘did a great job’
Stephens County 911 received multiple calls reporting the fire. When crews arrived, they found flames had spread to the side of the building where “a large quantity of plastic materials were being stored,” Woody said.
Firefighters immediately called for additional help as thick smoke billowed into the air and could be seen for several miles. Flames actively threatened the interior of the building, prompting crews to focus on protecting the structure.
Firefighters from five stations — Shiloh, Big Smith, Carnes Creek, Martin, and Toccoa — worked for several hours to bring the fire under control. Woody praised the response, saying crews “did a great job stopping this fire from destroying the building.”
Stephens County EMS also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
Unrelated incidents
Officials thanked the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Toccoa Police Department, and Georgia Department of Transportation for shutting down the roadway and helping maintain safety during operations.
Another large fire occurred in the area in October, but Woody said the incidents are unrelated.
Firefighters responded to two other brush fires in Stephens County on New Year’s Eve that were caused by fireworks.
