Houses burn in major downtown Augusta residential fire

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Fire Department crews were dispatched to a residential structure fire Monday afternoon at First Street and Telfair Street.

At least three homes caught fire.

The first dispatch was at 1:41 p.m. followed by a series of other dispatches up until 1:54 p.m.

The Augusta Fire department referred to it in a tweet as a “major” fire, saying: “Crews are continuing to work on controlling the flames.”

The department urged people to avoid the area.

Neighbors told News 12 the houses were condemned and that no one was living in them.

However, they said they’ve seen homeless people inside.

There were no firefighter injuries. However, a passerby cut their hand on a window when they smashed it to make sure no one was inside.

The fire started with a middle house, then spread to the others, according to authorities.

The investigation is underway, and authorities say it will take a couple of days to learn whether arson was to blame.

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