HOME BURNS

This house on Eatonton Street caught fire early Thursday morning. The house was not occupied and no utilities were connected to it.

The origin is suspicious, said Jasper County Fire Chief Jarrett Slocumb, who requested assistance from the state fire marshal’s office. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:58 a.m., and the first crew arrived on scene at 3:07 a.m. The home was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Station 3, Monticello; Station 4, Hillsboro, and Station 2, Shady Dale were among those responding.

The house belonged to Healthcare Investors, Intl, Inc., an entity which had announced plans some time ago to build a hospice facility on that site. Besides this structure fire, local firefighters have responded to numerous brush fires recently, including 50+ acres near Millen Road last week. Rains over the weekend may ease the danger, but everyone is reminded to get a burn permit before burning outdoors. Call 1-800-OK2-BURN to get a permit, then call 706-468-4930 and notify emergency services of the permit.