Thursday fire could be arson

As WNEG News previously reported, on Thursday, the Toccoa Fire Department were dispatched at 6:36 p.m. to a commercial structure fire, at 725 East Currahee Street.

According to Toccoa’s Assistant Fire Chief Frankie Deitz heavy smoke was showing from the entire building upon arrival of fire units.

He continued by saying the property sustained significant damage from the fire.

While firefighters extinguished the fire, responding officers, with the Toccoa Police Department, closed East Currahee Street for an hour.

The building was vacant, according to Deitz, and was most recently occupied by Stephens County Special Olympics.

He adds that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

According to the Georgia State Fire Marshall’s Office the fire could have been set intentionally; therefore, they are providing up to a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for arson.

Anyone who may have seen something suspicious are urged to call the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804, or you can call the Toccoa Fire Department at 706-282-3347.