Reward offered in Ellijay fire

ELLIJAY - A reward is being offered in connection with the explosion and fire that heavily damaged a two-story building in Ellijay where napalm was stored.

Travis Worthington, the Gilmer County Fire Chief, said Monday someone was seen running from the building shortly before the explosion around 4:00 Sunday afternoon.

Chief Worthington said the building, on Roundtop Road, contained napalm which is used by the Georgia Forestry Commission for controlled burns.

Worthington says the 50'x 60' building was heavily involved in fire when units arrived. He says about half-an-acre of surrounding woods was burning as well.

"Fire crews made an aggressive attack and quickly brought the blaze under control," Worthington said. "The damage to the contents was extensive and damage to the structure is still being assessed. The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation by agencies from Gilmer County and the State Fire Marshals Office."

A $10,000 reward is being offered through the state's Arson Control Hotline.