GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville Fire Department was called to the scene of a residential fire near Brenau University Wednesday afternoon.
According to Fire Chief Keith Smith, crews were called to the Park Street residence, located just a few blocks from the Brenau campus, after a neighbor arriving home from work spotted smoke showing from the basement of the home.
Smith said firefighters were able to gain entry into the building despite the heavy smoke, and worked quickly to extinguish the fire before it could spread throughout the home. Crews would eventually contain the most severe damage to the basement area of the home, while moderate damage was done to the kitchen as a result of the fire burning through the floor.
A subsequent investigation of the scene by the city Fire Marshal determined that an electrical issue in the home's basement was responsible for the fire.
Smith said an intial estimate calculated that $35,000-40,000 worth of damage was done to the home, which was said to still be liveable. The owner of the residence was not home at the time of the fire.
No injuries were reported following the firefight.
