Auburn home destroyed by fire

Fire crews were dispatched to the Sixth Street residence shortly after 2 a.m. on Jan. 4. Engines 4, 5 and 7 along with Med 4 and Battalion 1 responded to the scene.

“First arriving firefighters found a single story residential structure that was well involved in fire,” said Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Lieutenant Scott Dakin. “Due to the amount of fire and the condition of the structure upon arrival, firefighters went into a defensive mode to attack the flames.”

With the wind chill hovering near 12 degrees, firefighters faced additional challenges in combating the fire.

“The runoff water was freezing on the lawn, driveway and street,” Dakin said. “It was also freezing on the tools the firefighters used, as well as the turn out gear they were wearing.”

The Auburn Police Department provided traffic control at the scene. The Auburn Public Works Department also responded to sand down the frozen water on the roadway.

The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the displaced family.

According to the Fire Investigation Unit, the fire was caused by an undetermined electrical issue in the attic of the garage.