Two killed in house explosion near Lake Nottely

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BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – A house explosion occurred this morning around 8 a.m. and killed two at a home on Pauline Lane. The exact cause is still under investigation.

The Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner released the names of the deceased: Ralph Norris Wood, Jr., 78, and Peggy Wood, 77. They were home at the time of the tragic incident. The 1,594-square-foot structure was approximately 26 years old was completely destroyed in the blast.

“This unprecedented blast left several homes in the area damaged. Due to the severity of the explosion, it could be up to several weeks before the cause is determined,” Safety Fire Commissioner John King stated.

Statement from Union County Fire Department:

“At approximately 08:00 this a.m., Union County Fire, EMA, EMS, Sheriff’s Office, and GA State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to a home explosion off Pauline Ln. Pauline Ln is closed at this time. Home is totally destroyed, and other homes were damaged. Media inquiries shall be processed through State Fire Marshal’s PIO.”

People in the area have reported seeing debris falling, and those outside the area said they heard a loud boom. Pat Colwell Road’s a nine-minute from downtown Blairsville. Pauline Lane isn’t far from Hwy 129 and near Lake Nottely. It’s 24 minutes from Murphy, NC and some North Carolina residents even heard the explosion.

The house explosion completely destroyed the home and damaged those nearby.

Press release from Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner:

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that two people were killed in a Union County explosion on Sunday morning, May 2nd. The blast occurred at Pauline Lane in Blairsville. The 1,594-square-foot structure was approximately 26 years old and was entirely destroyed by the blast.

“Ralph Norris Wood, Jr., 78, and Peggy Wood, 77, were home at the time of the fire and tragically passed as a result,” said Commissioner King. “This unprecedented blast left several homes in the area damaged. Due to the severity of the explosion, it could be up to several weeks before the cause is determined.”

This explosion remains under active investigation at this time. Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Division assisted the Union County Fire Department, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Union County Coroner. The victims’ bodies were transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab in Atlanta for autopsy.

This marks the 57th and 58th death from a Georgia fire in 2021.

Images courtesy of Philippe Freitag’ Facebook.

Greystone Building fire appears to be accidental

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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.

UPDATE: Camper explosion injures four people, kills one

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tank explosion

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that a Union
County woman was killed and four others were injured in an accidental fire at the Rivers Edge RV Park around 1:00
p.m. on Tuesday, September 22.

The explosion involved a camper being used by an elderly couple as a permanent residence and was the result of a
disconnected propane gas line. The explosion occurred when the couple attempted to turn on the gas and ignite the
kitchen stove.

Union County Fire Department and EMA (UCFD/EMA) received the initial call at 12:45 p.m. of a camper explosion with people still inside the vehicle. UCFD/ EMA stations one, three, and four were on site to stop the fire.

Once they arrived, they saw the unit completely engulfed in flames and realized five people needed emergency care. Two of the injured were the couple inside the camper.

“Because of the explosion, the wife received burns on over 90 percent of her body, and the husband also received very severe burns,” said Commissioner King. “Both were airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, the wife died overnight.”

The other three in need of care were neighbors who attempted to rescue the couple. One of those neighbors
managed to pull the elderly woman from the fire. This primary rescuer was also airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital
while the other two neighbors received treatment at a local hospital.

“If it was not for the bravery of these neighbors, both the husband and the wife may not have survived Tuesday’s
[camper] explosion,” said Commissioner King.

Preliminary investigations performed by Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigations Unit, the Union County Fire
Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office indicate that the propane gas company followed all proper
procedures and is not at fault. Therefore, the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.

Image courtesy of Fire Marshal

For the sake of those involved and their families, FYN won’t be publishing the names of the RV owners.

UCFD/EMA, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union General EMS, and AirLife responded to the scene.

All the authorities involved ask for prayers for the victims and their loved ones. This fatality marks the 61st fire fatality in Georgia this year.

Update: Camper explosion injures four people, kills one

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BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that a Union
County woman was killed and four others were injured in an accidental fire at the Rivers Edge RV Park around 1:00
p.m. on Tuesday, September 22.

The explosion involved a camper being used by an elderly couple as a permanent residence and was the result of a
disconnected propane gas line. The explosion occurred when the couple attempted to turn on the gas and ignite the
kitchen stove.

Union County Fire Department and EMA (UCFD/EMA) received the initial call at 12:45 p.m. of a camper explosion with people still inside the vehicle. UCFD/ EMA stations one, three, and four were on site to stop the fire.

Once they arrived, they saw the unit completely engulfed in flames and realized five people needed emergency care. Two of the injured were the couple inside the camper.

“Because of the explosion, the wife received burns on over 90 percent of her body, and the husband also received very severe burns,” said Commissioner King. “Both were airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, the wife died overnight.”

The other three in need of care were neighbors who attempted to rescue the couple. One of those neighbors
managed to pull the elderly woman from the fire. This primary rescuer was also airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital
while the other two neighbors received treatment at a local hospital.

“If it was not for the bravery of these neighbors, both the husband and the wife may not have survived Tuesday’s
[camper] explosion,” said Commissioner King.

Preliminary investigations performed by Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigations Unit, the Union County Fire
Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office indicate that the propane gas company followed all proper
procedures and is not at fault. Therefore, the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.

Image courtesy of Fire Marshal

For the sake of those involved and their families, FYN won’t be publishing the names of the RV owners.

UCFD/EMA, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union General EMS, and AirLife responded to the scene.

All the authorities involved ask for prayers for the victims and their loved ones. This fatality marks the 61st fire fatality in Georgia this year.

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