Toccoa Firefighters Urge Safety Precautions

Following two residential fires in Toccoa in just the last few days, Toccoa Fire Department leadership and firefighters are urging citizens to take recommended safety precautions to secure homes and safeguard residents and families. 

On Friday afternoon, just before 1 p.m, Stephens County 911 dispatchers received reports of someone trapped in a structure fire on Nassau Place at E. Currahee Street
When firefighters from Toccoa and Carnes Creek arrived, fire was exiting the bedroom window, heavy smoke was showing from the entire home and the occupant was standing outside. 

In a follow-up report issued yesterday, Assistant Fire Chief Frankie Deitz reported that, as firefighters were pulling hoselines, the front windows of the home failed and the fire quickly intensified. Two 1 ¾” handlines, a rapid attack monitor and a deck gun were used to knock down the fire. 

The occupant was transported from the scene by Stephens County EMS for unspecified medical complaints. 

Dietz reported that the fire started in the bedroom, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. 

Then, just after 9 a.m. yesterday morning, a male resident on Williams Street called 911 and reported their home was on fire and that he was trapped and unable to escape. 

Firefighters from Toccoa and Carnes Creek again quickly responded and found smoke showing from the floor to the ceiling throughout the home. 911 dispatchers were able to question the occupant and determine that he was in a bedroom. 

Dispatchers guided firefighters through the smoke, as they could hear them searching through the phone. The fire was located just inside the front door and was knocked down by firefighters with one 1 ¾” handline. The occupant was located on the floor of the bedroom and removed by firefighters and handed over to Stephens County EMS and was immediately flown to NEGA Medical Center. His condition and the extent of his injuries has not been released.

Dietz said the cause of the Williams Street fire was determined to be an electrical short in a receptacle.

He stressed that working smoke alarms and closed bedroom doors are the best protection for residents when they are sleeping. He added that if anyone notices problems with the electrical service in a residence, such as lights dimming or appliances not working or hearing arcing noises, an electrician should be called to check the home. Dietz said symptoms such as those could indicate a serious problem with a structure’s electrical service, and he added that extended extreme temperatures can also put a strain on bad electrical connections and aging electrical components operating in a home. 

Dietz said that, throughout this week, firefighters will be canvassing both the Nassau Place and Williams Street neighborhoods to ensure all residents have working smoke detectors and discuss fire safety topics with residents.