Heavy damage to Mountain Rest home

Fire fighters within 30 minutes or so were able to put a stop to a home fire at Mountain Rest, but not before the fire caused heavy damage on Gnats Hollow Road near highway 28. No one injured. According to Charlie King, Oconee fire chief, the home was used as a primary residence, but the owner was not home at the time. The Oconee Fire Investigations Team was called to try to determine the cause. King says one fire engine was able to secure a water source by using a dry hydrant in the neighborhood. That hydrant was located within one thousand feet of the home. On scene for more than six hours were fire fighters from Mountain Rest, Walhalla, West Union, and Long Creek.