Thomas McClain

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

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.
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

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

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.
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

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.
(Stock photo)

(Stock photo)

Burning leaf pile becomes a wildfire

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Breezy conditions yesterday, combined with low humidity, caused an intentional fire to get out of control quickly. The fire started on a pile of leaves in a residential yard. A resident of Steel Bridge Court was burning leaves in their yard when the fire crept from the leaf pile to a large barn.
Crews work on downed limbs and power lines at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and Madison Road at the north end of Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Crews work on downed limbs and power lines at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and Madison Road at the north end of Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Hurricane Helene causes damage in the area

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Tragically, at least 25 people in Georgia lost their lives to Hurricane Helene. At the same time, the far south and eastern side of the state suffered billions of dollars in total damage, and as of Tuesday morning, approximately 350,000 people remained without electric power statewide.
Putnam County’s new fire rescue boat, “Sinclair 1,” is the same color and has the same graphics as the department’s new fire trucks. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s new fire rescue boat, “Sinclair 1,” is the same color and has the same graphics as the department’s new fire trucks. CONTRIBUTED

Fire Department has new rescue boats for each lake

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Fire rescue boats designed specifically for Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee have arrived for the Putnam County sides of the lakes to assist in any type of public safety agency’s rescue efforts.
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