A vacant home on Brown Bridge Road near Woodland Lane was completely destroyed by fire Wednesday — ironically as crews were demolishing it to reclaim old wood.

Ten Newton County Fire Department firefighters responded to the fire, which was called in at 1:57 p.m.

Smoke blanketed the Brown Bridge Road area near the Salem Road Walmart. Only the home’s chimneys were left standing.
There were no injuries.

“Total loss,” Chief Kevin O’Brien said. “It was totally involved by the time we got there. All we did was put it out and keep it from spreading into the woods.”

The fire was out by 2:45 p.m.

O’Brien said the fire is under investigation, but said it would likely be ruled “accidental,” the result of something that happened during the demolition.

Firefighters from stations 1, 5, 7 and 9 responded to the fire. Newton County Sheriff’s deputies directed traffic, opening the road by the time school buses came through.