Two residents injured in Athens house fire

The Athens-Clarke County Fire Department released the following:

On Monday afternoon, February 23, 2026, at approximately 2:14 p.m., the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on Rhodes Drive.

First arriving crews found a working fire at a two-story single-family residence, with heavy fire showing from the rear of the home. Crew initiated an interior attack but as conditions worsened, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy to ensure firefighter safety.

Strong northwest winds contributed to rapid fire spread, igniting multiple exposure fires on adjacent properties and across the street. Firefighters successfully extinguished these secondary fires and protected neighboring structures. All fire was brought under control after several hours of coordinated operations. A small excavator was later brought in to assist crews in overhauling debris to extinguish hot spots and prevent rekindling.

Two residents were displaced as a result of the fire and they were transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center with minor burns. No firefighter injuries were report.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, by the Athens-Clarke County Fire Marshal’s Office.