Bellview – A two-story home was destroyed by fire Thursday morning, destroying a local man’s possessions as well as killing eight of his 10 dogs – Birdy, Ellie, Chloe, Moe Moe, Rafa, Leo, Sly and Belle.
However, those same dogs likely saved the life of homeowner Nick Guthrie.
A call went out about 10:07 a.m. Thursday for fire departments to respond to a residential structure fire off of Blairsville Highway. The two-story structure would require several departments to combine their efforts in an attempt to bring the blaze under control.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Emergency Management Services – along with the Bellview, Martins Creek, Murphy, Ranger and Wolf Creek volunteer fire departments – all responded. Firefighters approached the house on all sides in an effort to bring the blaze under control.
Guthrie was sleeping when he was awakened by his dogs, who heard the smoke alarm going off and roused him. While the fire was burning hot just below his bedroom, he could not see smoke at that time.
Two of Guthrie’s dogs, Parker and Petey, were able to escape. Both Nick and his sister, Christy Guthrie, had to be held back from going into the burning home in an attempt to rescue the other “family members,” as they call their dogs.
Christy and Nick’s mother, Barbara Guthrie, who lives nearby, was also on the scene and visibly shaken.
“My (late) husband built the house for him,” Barbara said.
Christy, longtime composition manager of the Cherokee Scout, walked away from the scene several times to check on her brother, who was obviously distraught.
Randy Gleaton, a friend of the homeowner, was on his knees and could not be consoled.
“I went into the basement to get three of the dogs, and there was just flames,” he said through tears. “I had to crawl back out. It was just black with smoke.”
Traffic along Blairsville Highway traveled smoothly, only needing to be stopped when emergency vehicles were pulling in and out of the scene. Flames were visible from the house and could be seen coming from sides of the residence. Smoke filled the area.
At 11:30 a.m. firefighters were still trying to knock down the fire with multiple hose streams. Bill Roe, assistant chief of the Bellview Fire Department, had a thermal imaging camera that detected hotspots.
“Just when they got one side knocked down, the fire would be on the other side,” he said.
Under the threat of rain, only winds came, making the situation worse. Rain would not come until it was too late.
Carly Hopkins is a neighbor who lived several streets over.
“I’ve been watching this house ever since I was a little girl and when driving by,” she said. “I’ve seen them walking in the yard and working in the yard, and they seem nice. It’s amazing to see it go up. It’s very sad.”
No one was taken to the hospital. Nick will be staying with family, while Gleaton, who also lived at the home, will be staying with family in Knoxville, Tenn.
The blaze would persist for hours, filling the area with smoke. About 19,000 gallons of water were used during the incident.
Christy said the roof of the house had just been redone prior to the fire at considerable cost. Unfortunately, the home is a total loss.