Two Gilmer County families lost their homes to fires over the last few weeks.
On March 25, a fire on Wolf Pen Trail engulfed the home owned by Johnny and Donna Warren, soon spreading to the surrounding woods.
Gilmer Fire and Rescue said the call was dispatched as a chimney fire, but the cause is still being investigated.
“When we got there, it was 100 percent involved,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jason Bryant.
U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Forestry firefighters also worked to control the fire, which spread to the nearby national forest wilderness area before being contained.
“It was one of those days that was real low humidity and high winds, and you had to have four-wheel drive to get to the house,” said Bryant. “The forest service was there through the night.”
Members of the family were at home at the time of the fire, but were able to get out, the fire department noted. No one was injured, but the home was a total loss.
Adding to the tragedy, Donna Warren, the mother and grandmother of the family, passed away the week after the fire, noted Brooke Young, a close friend.
Young has started a GoFundMe for the Warren family. A donation drive is also underway through their church, Covenant Community of Ellijay.
The local Buffalo Luke’s restaurant at 21 Highland Crossing South in East Ellijay is acting as a drop-off point for the drive. Young said clothing, shoes, toiletries and basic everyday necessities are among what’s being collected.
“I am one of the leaders at the church, and it’s all going through them,” she added. “(Anyone) can go to Buffalo Luke’s and say they’re giving something for the Warrens, and we will go pick it up and give it to (the family).”
Young said Johnny and Donna had raised and fostered children through the years, and younger members of the family, including their 4-month old grandchild, also lived at the home.
“Right now, they do have a place they’re staying with a family member. The good news is we’ve paired with the pregnancy center to get (some) things for the baby,” Young said.
The GoFundMe for this family can be found by searching the website for The Warrens Ellijay, GA.
On March 19, a fire at a rental home on Bettis Circle displaced members of the DeHaven family.
Gilmer Fire and Rescue said a cause for this fire has not been determined. No one was injured in the fire, but again the home was a total loss.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Storm and Lindsey DeHaven and their 5-year-old son.
“They lost everything, (including) their vehicle. They barely got out (in time),” said Suzanne Cantrell, the GoFundMe’s organizer.
The American Red Cross normally comes out to help families displaced by fire when one like this occurs, but, for reasons unknown, they were not able to on this particular night, Bryant noted. Instead, the firefighters on scene took up a collection amongst themselves for the family so they could find lodging immediately.
“I am very proud of them for doing something like that,” Bryant said.
Cantrell said the family has since found a place to stay.
The GoFundMe for this family can be found by searching the website for Help the DeHaven Family - Home Destroyed by Fire.