DEMOREST, Ga. —A quick-thinking act of neighborly bravery by Demorest resident Justin Garrett averted a potentially catastrophic house fire on Monday afternoon, just weeks before the holiday season.
Swift action on Double Springs Road
Around 4 p.m. on November 17, Garrett, a City of Cornelia employee, was home when he smelled smoke and spotted flames coming from his neighbor’s carport in the 300 block of Double Springs Road.
The home, which belongs to Bradley Brown, is primarily constructed of wood, putting it in significant jeopardy of igniting. With Brown not at home and recognizing the rapid spread of the fire, Garrett made a crucial decision: there was no time to wait for the fire department to arrive.
Acting on instinct, Garrett grabbed a garden hose and rushed to put out the flames spreading through the carport and nearby grass. The fire is believed to have started in an exercise bike’s lithium batteries. When the battery fire wouldn’t go out, Garrett dragged the burning bike into the driveway and let it burn while he focused on extinguishing the rest of the blaze.
A house saved
Thanks to Garrett’s immediate and courageous efforts, the spread of the fire was significantly curtailed, preventing it from reaching the main structure of the home.
Bradley Brown had traveled to Anderson, S.C. doing some shopping when the fire began, and was not paying attention to his phone.
“When I got back to my truck, I had five missed calls from Justin,” Brown said. “If it wasn’t for him, my house might not be here right now.”
Vicki Vinson, Brown’s sister, later praised Garrett, citing his heroic efforts as directly responsible for saving the house. “To have the house saved this close to the holidays is a miracle,” Vinson said.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Garrett’s selfless action underscores the invaluable role of local citizens in emergency situations, turning an ordinary Monday into a testament to community heroism.
“People keep telling me I was lucky,” Brown said. “I wasn’t lucky, I was blessed.”
This article has been updated
