Officials warn against burning
Nine dogs died in a house fire in the Rustin Community on Saturday as high wind fanned the flames while volunteers battled the blaze.
Homeowner Kenny Jefferson was not there when the call came in at 1 p.m. that his home at 63 Arley Williams Road was on fire. Volunteers from Sandersville, Rustin, Powers, M&M and Sharon responded and the first firefighters on the scene reported flames and heavy smoke coming from half of the brick house.
The structure was quickly engulfed in flames because of what firefighters described as “extremely windy conditions.” They were forced into a defensive attack, fighting the flames from outside. The wind caused the flames to spread across the front yard, jump the road and scorch part of the yard across the street.
Firefighters were able to stop the flames before a picturesque pavilion burned and they doused the house and other parts of the yard to protect them from burning embers that were being blown by the wind.
The damage to the house was catastrophic and it was later learned that nine dogs that were inside the house died, according to the report.
“This call is a cautionary tale of the dangers of any flames or embers in the extreme wind we are experiencing,” said Dana Bumgardner, spokeswoman for the Jones County Fire Council. “Please do not burn or participate in activities causing sparks.”
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