A Tuesday night blaze in Sevier County prompted emergency crews to jump into action, battling flames on Bluff Heights Road and evacuating nearby residents. According to WVLT, the fire, located near Gibson Hollow and High View Rd, initially threatened multiple structures.
Affected by the fire, Sevier County Fire officials only confirmed impact on one structure, as other buildings loomed under threat. Caught in the crosshairs, locals were swiftly evacuated from the immediate danger zone. "Authorities have evacuated residents in the immediate area of the fire," the officials reported, per WVLT.
There's been a silver lining as the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency delivered some good news just after midnight. The fire had been contained and the other structures previously at risk were all clear of any damage, as stated in a release. This information was echoed by WBIR, which also noted that the firefighting crews were addressing any residual hotspots from the blaze.
While the immediate threat was over, residents had a night of unrest due to sudden evacuations. The Sevier County spokesperson had earlier made known that preparations should be made for possible evacuations if the emergency personnel deemed it necessary, "Residents and visitors in the area are asked to take precautions and prepare for a possible evacuation," detailed the report from WATE.
Despite the fire being contained, the full extent and cause of the incident have not been disclosed. Details on whether there were any injuries sustained during the fire remain unreleased at this time. More information is anticipated as post-incendiary investigations proceed.
