A Woodlawn Drive home in Long County was damaged early Wednesday morning by a fire that began downstairs and traveled into the attic.
Ludowici/Long County Fire Chief Richard Truman said his department was called to the blaze around 12:45 a.m. and found flames shooting through the roof on the back of the two-story house The firefighters initiated an interior attack and extinguished the fire in about 15 minutes. After it was out, Truman said his crew began salvage-and-overhaul procedures to be sure the fire hadn’t spread and to save as much of the residence as possible.
According to homeowner Bonnie Goodrich, she and her fiancé, Robert Edwards, had a fire in the fireplace earlier that day. She said they put the fire out and went to bed around midnight. Shortly after going to bed, she said the smoke alarm in the home sounded, and the residents discovered smoke throughout the home. Goodrich retrieved her daughter and the three exited the home safely.
Truman said it appeared that the fire began in the fireplace/chimney area and ran along the chimney into a bedroom on to the second floor. The blaze climbed through the outer edge of the attic and vented through the roof. The chief said that as a result of the firefighters’ outstanding work, approximately 80 percent of the home was saved.
Edwards said that County Commissioner Gerald Blocker, who is the president of the Long County Protective Services Auxiliary, gave the couple $500 on behalf of the volunteer organization to assist them with immediate needs until they can get additional help.
“That was very nice of the commissioner and the auxiliary to do that. You don’t see that kind of help every day,” Edwards said.
Truman said that approximately 20 firefighters with two fire trucks, a water-supply tanker and several other emergency vehicles responded. Long County had help and support from the Long County Sheriff’s Office, Ludowici Police Department, Long County EMS, the Long State Prison Fire Brigade and the Red Cross.
“Everything went good and the fire was knocked down pretty quick. I appreciate everyone who helped out tonight, and we’re thankful that no one was hurt,” Truman said.