BALDWIN, Ga. — Firefighters responding to a structure fire on Park Avenue on Thursday encountered a hazardous chemical reaction that prompted a hazmat response as flames spread toward nearby homes, officials said.
The fire was reported at about 10:01 a.m. at 1208 Park Ave., according to Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones. The initial blaze started in an outbuilding about 75 feet from the main residence and spread through a wooded area toward neighboring properties.
Fire crews immediately began knocking down the fire to prevent it from reaching other
structures, while officers and deputies warned nearby residents who were in the potential path of the flames, Jones said.
Crews arriving on scene found two sheds and a wooded embankment on fire, along with several small spot fires, Baldwin Fire Lt. Mason Murray said.
As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, they discovered a 55-gallon drum inside one of the sheds containing a hazardous chemical that was reactive with water, Jones said. The homeowner was able to provide a safety data sheet for the substance, and a hazmat team from the Hall County Fire Rescue was requested as a precaution.
Once the substance was identified and safely removed, firefighters resumed suppression efforts and extinguished the fire.
Main residence not damaged
Two outbuildings were destroyed, but the main residence was not damaged, Murray said. Flames came close to two neighboring homes, though neither sustained exterior damage.
“Thanks to the quick, professional response from fire department personnel, the fire did not reach any other structures,” Jones said. “Thankfully, there were no injuries to residents or public safety and no homes were destroyed by the blaze.”
Crews from the Baldwin Fire Department, Cornelia Fire Department, Habersham County EMS, Banks County Fire Department and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. Baldwin police assisted with traffic control, temporarily closing Park Avenue between Baldwin Falls Road and Willingham Avenue. The roadway has since reopened.
The Georgia Fire Marshal’s Office and police investigators are working to determine the origin of the fire, officials said.
Jones also thanked Dairy Queen of Baldwin for donating meals to public safety personnel who remained on scene for several hours.
Murray said the department has remained busy amid dry, windy conditions, noting the Park Avenue fire was the Baldwin Fire Department’s second fire of the year following a grass fire overnight.
