Cause of Skylake Fire is Still Undetermined

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a fire at 172 Woodbrier in Skylake Subdivision on New Year’s Day.

White County Fire Services was dispatched at 5 p.m and saw smoke coming from the eaves of the structure. No one was in the home at the time but the owner was on the scene and provided a key for firefighters to enter through the front door.

Heavy smoke was visible on the main floor but firefighters did not see any flames, which lead them to investigate the basement. Entry was made and the seat of the fire was found to be in the front portion of the basement near a mechanical room just below the dining room. Firefighters could see the furnishings as the fire had burned through the ceiling to the upstairs main floor.

The fire was quickly extinguished and upon clearing the smoke with positive pressure fans, it appeared that this fire had been burning for quite some time.
State Fire Investigator Brian Smith was called to the scene to try and determine how the fire started.

White County Fire received Automatic Aid from City of Helen Fire and Lee Arrendale Fire Brigade 1. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were on scene for 4 hours.