Firefighter overcome by heat at Jefferson house fire

JEFFERSON - A firefighter was taken to the hospital Sunday afternoon when he was overcome by heat at the scene of a fire in Jefferson.

Jackson County Emergency Management Services Director Steve Nichols said crews were called to the fire on Cottonwood Road around 5:00 p.m. Firefighters found a two story home about 50-percent involved in flames when they arrived.

Nichols said no one was home at the time of the fire, and at this point, investigators are not sure how it started.

"The house was listed as a total loss, and the cause of the fire right now is under investigation by the Jackson Trail Fire Department," he said.

Nichols said one firefighter suffered heat-related injuries and was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for evaluation.

Firefighters remained on the scene of the blaze for almost five hours, according to Nichols.