Rabun Gap fire ruled arson

(Left photo: Photo courtesy of Dillard Police Chief Jeremy Parker.)

RABUN GAP– A structure fire involving two structures on Wolffork Church Rd. in Rabun Gap Feb. 25 has been ruled arson, according to Davis Warnell, special assistant to the Commissioner for Policy, office of Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King, in a statement Thursday.

He said in coordination with the State Fire Investigations Unit, a reward of up to $10,000 is offered by Georgia Arson Control for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson. 

Rabun County Fire Services Stations 1,5, and 12 and the Otto, N.C. Fire Department responded to a call of a structure fire that was dispatched for 712 Wolffork Church Rd. at 2:46 p.m., according to Justin Upchurch, assistant chief of Rabun County Fire Services.

Two structures were on fire at the scene, a garage and a barn. 

“Engine 1 pulled two attack lines to the garage and Engine 5 two for the barn,” Upchurch said. He said approximately 10,000 gallons of water was used.

"The first fire heavily damaged the carport and left side of the residence. The perpetrator(s) also set a second fire that destroyed a workshop on the property," according to Warnell. 

The residence located at the 736 address was exposed to the fire and sustained damage where the siding melted off.

Upchurch said the State Fire Marshal’s Office came out and investigated that day.

No injuries were reported, according to personnel on scene.

"Our office is assisting Rabun County Fire Services in this investigation," said Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King in a statement. "We are asking for the help of the community in bringing the perpetrator(s) to justice." 

Anyone with information about the fire is invited to call the State's Fire Investigations Unit at 1-800-282-5804.