White County Fire units with Automatic Aid from the City of Helen responded to a reported structure fire at 202 Clarice Lane in Sautee at around 10pm Sunday evening, according to an email statement from Ana Newberry, spokesperson for White County Fire Services.

The occupants of the rental cabin advised dispatch that the side of the cabin was on fire from an outdoor fireplace and extending to the exterior front and side walls.  Once fire units arrived on scene, the fire had spread and the residence was heavy with fire; all of the occupants were able to exit the structure.  White County requested Mutual Aid from Habersham Fire for  additional water and the Lee Arrendale Fire Brigade.  The Red Cross was called in for the occupants however, the management of the rental company assisted the occupants by providing another cabin for the occupants to stay in; the occupants were visiting from South Georgia, the email read.

According to Newberry, Firefighters spent approximately 3 hours fighting the fire then remained on scene for an additional 2 hours to ensure the fire did not spread to adjacent rental cabins/homes. No injuries were reported and State Fire Investigator Brian Smith deemed the incident accidental and is presently under investigation.  It is probable that the outdoor fireplace may have traveled through the flue and in between the walls of the main residence (attached) thus causing the structure to be a total loss.