A brilliant, colorful fall morning soon turned tragic for a local Dawsonville woman.

Sandra Long was visiting a neighbor when her home caught fire late Monday morning, Oct. 22. The wood and cedar structure was quickly consumed by the flames.

We arrived on the scene at 11:58 (a.m.), and the house was 100 percent involved, said Dawson County Deputy Fire Chief, Tim Satterfield. Two Forsyth stations, Stations 5 and 7, also responded to the blaze.

Long and her husband, Jimmy Long, purchased the home and six acres off Hwy. 9 in 1988. The couple worked on improving the property for more than 20 years. Jimmy, however, passed away in 2010.

Jimmys ashes are inside the house, Long said, overwhelmed with emotion. We had just planned on spreading them on the 30th.

Long, who is a home nurse, said she has no insurance on the property.

The cause of fire is undetermined and currently under

investigation, according to Satterfield.

Late Monday afternoon, fire crews were still on the scene.

Weve called forestry and they are doing an evaluation, Satterfield said. Were going to make sure it is contained.

Longs friend and neighbor, Trudy Gober, said Long has lost everything.

This is a person who has reached out and helped so many people. Now, shes the one who is really going to need help, Gober said.

By days end on Monday, The Red Cross, Ninth District Opportunity in Dawson County, and Ric Rack had been contacted about helping out.