Putnam County Fire Department

Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detatched garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detatched garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

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Fire takes boat, Harley and hay

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
A Putnam County resident lost his boat and motorcycle in a fire last week, and a farmer lost some hay in a different fire, Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain said.A field on Little Circle was being burned to clear out sagebrush when the fire spread into nearby hayfields.
No chickens were harmed at Rose Acre Farms, according to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain. CONTRIBUTED

No chickens were harmed at Rose Acre Farms, according to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain. CONTRIBUTED

Firefighters free fowl from fiery fate

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters were called to put out a fire at Rose Acres Egg Farm yesterday. Fire Chief Thomas McClain said a fire broke out in one of the chicken houses.“There were over 200,000 chickens in there, but we didn’t cook a single one of them,” he quipped.
In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory (right) attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory (right) attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Putting Putnam’s literal lifeline together

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
When Joe Thompson and James Gregory agreed to meet at Eatonton City Hall in June 1974, they had no idea of what they were getting into. They also had no uniforms, no equipment, and no guarantee of income.
Two dogs and two cats died early last Thursday morning in a house fire on Cape Harbor Drive. CONTRIBUTED

Two dogs and two cats died early last Thursday morning in a house fire on Cape Harbor Drive. CONTRIBUTED

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Pets perish in Lake Sinclair home fire

Staff Reports
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Baldwin County Fire units Engine 6, Engine 7, and Engine 8, along with Battalion 1 and Squad 17, and Putnam County Fire Department responded to a structure fire call at 4:30 a.m. Dec. 4 on Cape Harbor Drive, west of the railway bridge on the southern side of Lake Sinclair.
The fire burns off the gas leaking from the propane tank. CONTRIBUTED

The fire burns off the gas leaking from the propane tank. CONTRIBUTED

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Well house blaze causes propane tank fire

Lynn Hobbs
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A propane tank fire was safely extinguished, with no explosion or injuries, thanks to the work of Putnam County Fire Department firefighters.The fire happened around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at a residence on South Harmony Court, according to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain.
Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

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Family survives house fire thanks to passerby

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A passerby who alerted residents that their home was on fire may have saved their lives. However, the family’s pets perished in the house fire early Saturday morning.“It was two cats and one dog that didn’t make it,” Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said. “And their car burned up, too.
Putnam County Fire Dept. firefighters watch for flare ups amidst the smoke after putting out the flames of the fire in a log cabin on Rockville Springs Drive Monday. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Fire Dept. firefighters watch for flare ups amidst the smoke after putting out the flames of the fire in a log cabin on Rockville Springs Drive Monday. CONTRIBUTED

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Newly staffed fire station, fireboat battle blaze

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
A fire broke out in a house on the 200 block of Rockville Springs Drive on Monday. There are no fire hydrants in that area, but thankfully, there’s Lake Sinclair, said Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain.
The fire in this single-wide was reportedly caused by a window unit air conditioner plugged into an extension cord. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

The fire in this single-wide was reportedly caused by a window unit air conditioner plugged into an extension cord. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

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Residential, vehicle fires extinguished

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters were busy last week battling four different fires on homes and a vehicle. Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson and Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain said no one was injured in any of the incidents.
Yellow crime tape surrounds the burned mobile home on East Marion Street Monday. The left side of the home was completely burned away, and the rest of the interior gutted and/or charred by the flames. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Yellow crime tape surrounds the burned mobile home on East Marion Street Monday. The left side of the home was completely burned away, and the rest of the interior gutted and/or charred by the flames. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

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Blaze that razed home under investigation

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A house fire that destroyed a home in Eatonton on Sunday morning is under investigation, officials say.Eatonton Fire Department was called out to the 400 block of East Marion Street about 1:30 a.m. April 13, Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said.
County officials assess West Riverbend Drive conditions Monday afternoon. CONTRIBUTED

County officials assess West Riverbend Drive conditions Monday afternoon. CONTRIBUTED

Storms wash out roads

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A deluge of rainfall on Monday created more than just an inconvenience for many in Putnam County.Downed trees were reported throughout the county, quite a few of them blocked roadways, according to reports.
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