Multiple Dawson County residents are now safe thanks in part to neighbors who alerted the homeowners to a recent fire. 

Dawson County Engine 6 was the first unit to respond to the residential house fire off McElroy Mountain Road the afternoon of Friday, May 13, according to a Dawson County Fire and EMS press release. Those firefighters found smoke coming from the garage area. Crews from Big Canoe and Pickens County also responded, and they worked aggressively to bring the fire under control quickly.

“Credit should be given to the neighbors who alerted the homeowners and helped keep the fire in check by having a working fire extinguisher,” the press release stated. “These actions likely prevented serious injuries and minimized damage to the residence. Let this fire serve as a reminder to have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.”

Then, on Saturday afternoon, Dawson County crews responded to a kitchen fire at a house off Moss Road. Fire personnel with Engine 3 responded, finding smoke emanating from the residence. The crews were able to quickly contain the fire, and its cause was later determined to be cooking. 

Finally on Sunday evening, both Dawson County Fire and EMS and the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office responded to two people who were canoeing and in need of help along the Etowah River.

The subjects could not finish their trip due to it getting dark and a possible medical emergency. The Georgia State Patrol’s Aviation Division located the subjects and guided ground crews to their location without incident. 

The press release described the event as a reminder for people to always plan their water trips and travel times, as well as charge their cell phones and have an extra power source.