Laurel Ridge Fire Under Investigation

Gilmer County Fire Dept. had a busy Sunday evening. On Aug. 18, around 7:20p.m., Gilmer Fire was notified of a cabin fire on North Laurel Ridge Rd.
When the fire crews arrived, the cabin was fully engulfed in flames. With the road and terrain being so rough, it would take several fire trucks to transfer water up the mountain.

Cherry Log Fire Engine would be one of the main trucks bringing water to the fire. The trucks would have to travel into Fannin six miles north to get to the nearest hydrant.

The Gilmer County Fire Dept. had the fire under control around 11 p.m. FYN spoke with Fire Chief Tony Pritchett about the fire. He would let us know that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

He would go on to inform us that the cabin was a weekend rental. It was occupied for the weekend. The renters where not present at the time the fire started.

After a night out, the renters returned to an empty shell of a house later that evening. They along with the cabin owners would lose everything that was inside the house at the time of the fire.

FYN encourages you to watch the exclusive interview with Chief Pritchett below taken at the scene on the night of the fire.