Four, unidentified citizens render aid to prevent fuel explosion

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FYN received information, including the featured photo, on a vehicle fire that occurred at the Valero gas stattion on State Route 76 in Hiawassee on Monday evening, April 22. Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith received the photograph from a witness, with additional details on the incident.

Chief Smith relayed that as the driver of the pick-up truck approached the fuel pumps, a “strange noise” was heard. The driver exited the vehicle when an odor of smoke was detected, shortly before the truck began its fiery blaze. Four, unidentified citizens rushed to render aid, pushing the vehicle away from the fuel pumps, Smith said, to prevent what could have resulted in a catastropic explosion.

“The ’84 model pick-up caught fire in the engine area, and it was fully engulfed upon arrival,” Towns County Fire Chief Harold Copeland told FYN. “Engine 1 arrived on scene and extinguished the flames.” Chief Copeland reported that the incident is not under investigation.

FYN encourages the four “good citizens” involved in assisting with the incident to contact our Towns County reporter as our news network would be honored to recognize their heroic efforts.