UPDATE: Fire destroys Hall Co. winery

4:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY UPDATE:

Fire destroyed an East Hall winery Wednesday afternoon. Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) got the call about 1:00 to Sweet Acres Winery on Bill Wilson Road.

The first unit to arrive was an EMS crew who reported that a three-story building was fully
involved, spokeswoman Kimberlie Ledsinger said.

.”Once the engines arrived on scene, water was continuously
shuttled to extinguish the bulk of the fire as well as the grass fires
surrounding the building,” Ledsinger said. “Due to the lack of water access at the address, an additional tanker was requested from Habersham Fire Department to assist with
extinguishment.”

After the fire was brought under control, personnel remained on the scene monitoring the structure and extinguishing remaining hot spots.

“The building was empty prior to HCFR arrival, and no one was injured
during suppression efforts,” she added. “The cause of the fire is unknown, and the Hall
County Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating.”

EARLIER STORY. POSTED 2:15 P.M.:

Bill Wilson Road in the East Hall area is closed to traffic while fire crews battle a large fire at a winery. The sheriff’s office is urging motorists to avoid the area ’til further notice.