Family of 11 safely escapes structure fire

The Houston County Fire Department responded to a structure fire Saturday evening on Ogeechee Court, in Bonaire. Houston County Fire Chief Christopher Stoner relayed that the call came in around 5:30 p.m., and that the homeowners reported they heard a lightning strike and immediately smelled smoke. Stoner said that the homeowners checked the attic and discovered fire throughout the attic.

Stoner affirmed that a strong storm had passed through the area around that time, and when fire personnel arrived on scene, there was already fire through the top of the roofline across the majority of the house. Stoner informed that the blaze had been brought under control.

Stoner later told the Houston Home Journal that the cause of the incident was being treated as a lightning strike, though the event is still under investigation. Stoner also added that there were no injuries, and the family of 11 had exited the structure safely.

According to Dawn Morgan, who helped coordinate donations for the family, the neighborhood and community came together in support and met the family’s clothing needs by Sunday morning.

HHJ News