DUBLIN, Ga. — A charcoal chimney starter caused a Dublin home to catch fire on Wednesday night.
That's according to Dublin Fire Chief Matthew Cutler.
Cutler says firefighters got the call around 8:30 p.m.
First responders saw smoke and flames coming from the house at Smith and Rowe streets.It took crews about 30 minutes to put it out.
The house was under construction, and no one was legally staying there.But Cutler says neighbors reported seeing two people run away when the house caught on fire.
He said he believes homeless people were staying there and lit a charcoal chimney starter for heat, since the house does not have any heating yet.
Charcoal chimney starters are not made for indoor use. The embers, ash and charcoal sparked a fire, Cutler said.
He says the owners had hoped to finish the renovations this weekend so the home would be ready for renters.
The house has heavy damage, but Cutler says he isn't sure if it's a complete loss.
One firefighter got a muscle injury while putting out the fire, but no one else is hurt.
Cutler says he is thankful for neighbors for quickly reporting emergencies.
"It could have been much worse," he said.
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