Greystone Building fire appears to be accidental

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Greystone Building

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner investigators are looking into the evening fire at the Greystone Building off Hwy. 515.

UPDATE September 29: As of 12:30 p.m., the Union County GOP announced that the fire appeared to be accidental. The group’s headquarters was inside the Greystone Building.

The fire began sometime before 9 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020. The Union County Fire Department (UCFD) worked quickly to extinguish the flames, but the building suffered substantial damage.

Located between Bank OZK and Burger King, the Greystone Building houses the Union County GOP Headquarters, Affordable Hearing Aid Solutions, and a chiropractor’s office.

Ninth District GOP Chairperson Rebecca Yardley released the following statement:

“We are saddened to report that last evening the Union County GOP headquarters in Blairsville was destroyed by fire. The fire appears to be accidental in nature and no foul play is suspected. We are grateful that no one was injured and are thankful for all those individuals who helped to extinguish the fire quickly. Special thanks to the Union County Fire Department and Fire Chief David Dyer for their professionalism and for exemplifying their motto of “Our Family Protecting Your Family.” Their swift actions last evening helped not only the Union County GOP but the other two businesses that were also affected. We also want to say thank you to the many volunteers, Union County GOP Executive Board and Chairman Dena Gooch, who have helped to salvage items and ensure that the work of the Party moves forward during these last critical 34 days as we work to re-elect President Trump.”

The local GOP posted the following on their Facebook page:

“So sorry to report that our Headquarters was severely damaged by fire tonight. We hope to retrieve some of our items tomorrow. But we will be looking for another location. Please let us know if you know of a place.  AND thanks to all the Union County firefighters who were able to extinguish the fire quickly.”

The group had just moved into the building in August to prepare for the upcoming general election.

Fetch Your News will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.

Feature image courtesy of Union County GOP.

Pet store catches fire, everyone marked safe

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Pet City

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Everyone safely escaped from a midday fire on Tuesday, June 29, at Pet City USA on the Blue Ridge Hwy.

The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. after the people inside noticed a flickering light and smoke coming from the ceiling soon after.

Approximately 15 firefighters responded to the call and worked quickly to put it out. A ladder truck sprayed water down on the ceiling of the commercial structure, and at least, engine one was on hand to assist with ground support.

In this photo, crews used to hoses extinguish the fire from the ground.

As of now, the Union County Fire Department (UCFD) hasn’t determined the exact cause of the fire.

Due to the direction of the wind, firefighters combatted with excessive smoke blowing down on them. An estimated 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths result from smoke inhalation. It can cause asphyxiation, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and nausea. Signs of smoke inhalation include cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, headache, and acute mental status changes.

Pet City USA housed all times of animals from lizards to hamsters. The store had reopened from the COVID-19 economic shutdown. While all people made it out of the building, it’s unclear if all the animals inside escaped the fire.

Fetch Your News will update this article as more details become available. Images are courtesy of UCFD. 

 

Firefighters enter the building.

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