A house fire in Anderson County caused major damage Tuesday afternoon and killed several family pets, according to firefighters and relatives at the scene.
House Fire Breaks Out on Shirley Drive
Multiple fire departments responded to a home on Shirley Drive after smoke was seen pouring from the house.
Firefighters said the home suffered heavy damage during the blaze.
Weather Conditions Made Firefight Difficult
Assistant Chief John Hanks with the Ebenezer Fire Department said hot weather conditions made the response more challenging for crews.
Firefighters reportedly had to rotate in and out of the home frequently because of the intense heat and smoke conditions.
Homeowner Escaped Safely
Tammy Ables, who said she had lived in the house since childhood, described the frightening moment she learned about the fire.
According to Ables, someone knocked on her door yelling “fire,” giving her enough time to escape safely from the home.
Pets Died in the Fire
Family members said five pets were killed in the fire, including:
- Three dogs
- Two other pets
Neighbors said some residents attempted to rescue the animals before firefighters arrived, but the flames spread too quickly.
Cause Still Under Investigation
Authorities have not yet released the cause of the fire.
Investigators continue examining the scene.
