BALDWIN POLICE DEPT. NEWS RELEASE:

“(About 10:00 Thursday morning) Baldwin Police and Fire Departments, along with Habersham County Emergency Services, Banks County Fire Department, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Cornelia Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 1208 Park Ave in Baldwin.

The initial fire began in an outbuilding approximately 75 feet from the home. The fire spread through the wood line toward the main residence and neighboring homes. Fire crews immediately began knocking down the fire in an effort to prevent it from spreading to other structures.

Officers and deputies began warning neighbors who could be in the path if the fire continued to spread. Thanks to the quick, professional response from fire department personnel, the fire did not reach any other structures. Baldwin Public Works and Georgia Forestry played a vital role in stopping the spread of the fire as well.

While fire units worked to extinguish the fire, it was determined that a 55 gallon drum inside the blaze contained a hazardous chemical substance which was reactive with water. Hall County Fire Department’s HAZMAT team was contacted to handle the substance. Once the substance was identified and safely contained, the fire was extinguished.

There were no injuries to residents or public safety and no homes were destroyed by the blaze.”