If you were prevented from driving down Crowell Road around the time schools were released Wednesday, here’s why: County fire personnel were dispatched at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, to 261 Crowell Road to battle a structure fire, according to Newton County Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien.

Upon arrival, a 2,500-square-foot house with a full basement was in flames, a third of the structure “fully involved.”

They pursued an offensive attack, knocked the fire down and found the homeowner, who said everyone was able to get out. A search was conducted to make sure, O’Brien said.

He said the $225,000-$230,000 home received about $180,000 in damage to its structure and there was “pretty much a complete loss” to the contents in the home due to smoke damage.

Crowell Road was shut down so fire trucks and personnel could access the water supply and hydrant.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, O’Brien said, but it was “most likely accidental of some type.”

Around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, fire rescue responded to a call at 2051 Ga. Hwy. 81. O’Brien said that house was fully involved upon arrival and suffered a complete loss to the structure and its contents. He was unsure whether anyone occupied the residence or if they were inside at the time of the fire.

The third fire was dispatched as an assisted call around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. The building was also a residence, located at 22 Bear Creek Marina in Jasper County. The structure was fully involved upon arrival and also suffered a complete loss to structure and contents. O’Brien was unsure whether anyone was in the building.