A homeowner was taken to a metro Atlanta hospital and a residence totally destroyed as the result of an explosion and fire in the Kingtown area of McCaysville.
A call was received by the Fannin County 911 Center at 10:06 p.m. Sunday, March 8, reporting an explosion and fire at 234 Branch Creek Road, which is off Kingtown Street.
Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas said the first fire engine arrived on the scene 14 minutes later to find the residence 90 percent involved in fire.
The 911 call from the homeowner reported an explosion had been heard in the laundry room and was catching the rest of the house on fire.
Thomas said that while the cause of the fire has not been determined, investigators believe a propane gas explosion was involved.
He said the laundry room, which he said could be described as a utility room, containing a propane gas water heater and furnace and an electric clothes dryer.
The homeowner, who Thomas identified as James Swope, was first taken by private vehicle to Blue Ridge Medical Center and later to Wellstar. His condition was not available.