By Joe Johnson
Fire crews this morning are at the scene of a large fire at a lumber yard in western Athens-Clarke County.
Hogan Lumber Company at 325 Tallassee Road is the same location where there were two similar fires nearly a year ago, in December 2022.
Officials asked motorists to avoidTallassee Road between Whitehead Road and Westchester Drive while fire operations were underway.
As with the previous blazes, official believe today's fire was caused by homeless people who are known to illegally camp on the property.
"It is an ongoing operation," Interim Athen-Clarke County Fire Chief Nathiel Moss said . "We aren’t confirmed as to cause, but we believe it was a warming fire for homeless that were trespassing on the property."
Fire crews and police officers are at the scene, where no injuries have been reported.
Fires on Dec. 10 and 18 were linked to campfires that were made by homeless people who had set up camp at Hogan Lumber Company, officials said.
As a result of those incidents two buildings were complete losses, along with lumber and other property stored inside, as were items around the buildings.
Classic City News will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
Are the police working to solve this crime?
Was anyone arrested and convicted for the two fires last year? Whoever owns the property and is allowing the homeless to squat on their property should be held just as responsible as the arsonist that is setting the fires.
Ah, the joy of living in a sanctuary city.
These homeless are at the level of prehistoric man, they know how to make fire.
Maybe they will create some important hieroglyphics for all of us to enjoy.
This business has been in Athens for at least three generations. What a shame! If in fact, the homeless are to blame for trying to stay warm, then the city itself is the real culprit. Don't look to me for solutions, you guys should know what to do!