White County battles fire at state park cabin

CLEVELAND - A Christmas Day fire did moderate damage to the main lodging cabin at Smithgall Woods State Park north of Cleveland.

White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said firefighters received the call to 1333 Dukes Hollow Road at 5:36 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire was located in the main lodge cabin where visitors were staying.

Firefighters responded from White County Stations 6, 7, 2, with automatic aid from Helen Fire Department.

Murphy said firefighters quickly extinguished the fire while dealing with freezing temperatures:

"With the temperatures being below freezing it caused an icing situation when they were trying to extinguish the fire, which made it much more difficult for them to gain access and causes some safety concerns," he said.

Murphy said not only does it cause problems for firefighters, but for the equipment they use as well.

No one was injured. The occupants evacuated the structure prior to the fire department's arrival.

According to Murphy, residents were placed in other cabins on the property. The fire is under investigation.

Another fire call was reported at 8:35 Christmas morning concerning a residential fire at 3678 Helen Highway near Tom Bell Road.

The occupant reported her stove on fire with smoke coming from the rear of the appliance.

Firefighters from White County Station 3, with mutual aid from Helen Fire Department and automatic aid from Cleveland Fire Department, responded to the incident.

Murphy said when firefighters arrived nothing was showing from outside the mobile home, and the fire was out upon arrival. No injuries were reported and the fire was deemed electrical in nature and confined to the appliance.