Several fires spotted at construction project site

West Jackson firefighters battled several blazes related to the clearing of land for a road construction project in Braselton, according to incident reports.


The small fires were reported on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 1-2, and were located in the area for the widening and realignment of Zion Church Road.

In the initial fires reported on Wednesday, firefighters were sent to Pinecrest Drive — where they had been told that smoke was coming from the construction site.

Firefighters said they had a tough time getting to the fires and getting close enough to fight the blazes. The fires were eventually extinguished by two firefighters using booster lines.

In the fires reported on Thursday, smoke was spotted coming from Davis Street near the construction project. Once again, firefighters had a difficult time getting to the blazes in a field that was about 1,000 feet from a road.

One of the fires was extinguished with a rake and shovel, and sprayed with water for hot spots. Another was found near Ga. Hwy. 124 and was also extinguished.

The fires were illegal because they violate the state’s outdoor burn ban. Construction crews at the site have denied setting the fires, which are reported after they leave for the day, according to West Jackson fire chief Ben Stephens.

West Jackson firefighters have asked Braselton’s code enforcement officer for assistance on the issue, he said. Braselton hasn’t issued any citations for the construction project, according to town manager Jennifer Dees.

Other Incidents
Other incidents reported to the West Jackson Fire Department last week included:

•vehicle accident with no injuries on I-85, Braselton, where firefighters had been told by dispatchers that a vehicle had been overturned in a wreck. However, no vehicle was overturned, when firefighters arrived. A passenger in a vehicle was confused, but refused to be taken to a hospital.

•EMS call at a Cherry Drive, Braselton, address, where a woman had a seizure. She was taken to a hospital on a non-emergency basis.

•grass fire at a Ga. Hwy. 53, Braselton, address, where about 2,000 square feet of grass was on fire near the intersection of Hunting Hills Road. The fire was extinguished and firefighters returned to regular duty.

•grass fire on I-85, Braselton, where Barrow County firefighters had asked for assistance. The fire was located in Gwinnett County, and West Jackson firefighters were told that firefighters in Barrow and Gwinnett were handling the blaze.

•EMS call at a W. Jefferson Street, Braselton, address, where a four-year-old had difficulty breathing. The child’s mother said she was taking the child to a doctor.

•EMS call at a Bakers Farm Circle, Braselton, address, where a 90-year-old man complained of neck pain. Firefighters checked the man and was asked where he wanted to go. His daughter took him to a doctor.

•EMS call at a Davenport Road, Braselton, address, where a man said he had difficulty breathing. He was found on a bed and was later taken to a hospital.

•grass fire at a Ga. Hwy. 124, Braselton, address, where two small fires were extinguished on the Jackson County side of the bridge, near the Barrow County line. West Jackson firefighters also helped Barrow County extinguish several other fires in the area, as well. All of the fires were extinguished.

•EMS call at an Ednaville Road, Braselton, address, where an elderly woman who was bed-ridden had a difficult time having a bowel movement with abdominal pain. She was taken to a hospital.

•medical assist at a Pocket Road, Braselton, address, where a 41-year-old woman was having a seizure after falling and gashing her knee. She was taken to a hospital.

•burning of outside trash at a Bell Avenue, Hoschton, address, where a small brush fire was found at a residence. The homeowner was told to extinguish the fire.

•burning of outside trash at a W. Jefferson Street, Hoschton, address, where a small, controlled burn was found in the backyard of a residence. Firefighters asked for a Jackson County deputy to respond to the scene. The homeowner was told to extinguish the blaze and firefighters stood by as the homeowner did so.