DEKALB COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- While battling a blaze at a rural location in DeKalb County Friday afternoon, first responders faced multiple challenges, including an elevated heat index and limited water access.

According to the DeKalb County Fire Department, crews were sent to Poplar Road in the Wolf Creek area of Silver Point shortly before 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15 for a report of a structure fire that filled a house with smoke.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they said they found a two-story residence with a wood frame and heavy smoke on the second floor. However, all of the occupants had safely evacuated.

At approximately 2:35 p.m., the Putnam County Fire Department said it was asked to provide mutual aid. When those units arrived, they described the scene as "a single-story residential structure with a basement that was heavily involved in fire."

Units from the two counties worked together to extinguish the fire in the attic area, but because of "very poor road access and ability to maneuver fire apparatuses, distance to the nearest fire hydrant, and the extreme heat conditions affecting fire crews, the home was a complete loss," DCFD said.

While there were no reports of injuries among the residents, officials said a DeKalb County firefighter was transported to a local hospital for heat exhaustion, but that first responder has since been released. In addition, a few other members of the DCFD were treated at the scene for heat-related issues.

According to DCFD, the cause of the fire is suspected to be electrical in nature, but the official cause has yet to be determined.

Besides the DCFD and the PCFD, which was released from the scene shortly before 6:30 p.m. and returned to Putnam County, officials said the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene. Meanwhile, the Smithville Fire Department was on mutual aid stand-by to provide coverage while the other resources were deployed for the Poplar Road fire.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/dekalb-county-home-ruled-total-loss-following-fire/