Clay County Fire & Rescue Battles Two Major Structure Fires Overnight, One Firefighter and One Resident Treated

Clay County Fire & Rescue crews responded to two separate residential structure fires within roughly 10 hours on Thursday night and early Friday morning, April 23–24, 2026.

The first incident was reported around 6:00 p.m. in the Shooting Creek Fire District. Firefighters arrived to find the home heavily engulfed in flames. Due to the advanced stage of the fire, crews switched to defensive operations to protect nearby wooded areas and neighboring structures. During the response, one firefighter suffered a medical emergency and was transported by Clay County EMS to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Just hours later, at approximately 3:50 a.m., a second structure fire was reported in the Brasstown Fire District. Arriving crews again found a residence heavily involved in fire. Complicating the scene, the blaze had spread to two adjacent 250-gallon propane tanks. The intense heat caused both tanks to vent propane, producing flames estimated at 40 to 50 feet high.

The venting tanks posed an immediate threat to a nearby occupied residence. Firefighters worked quickly to cool the tanks, reduce internal pressure, and prevent further spread. Their efforts limited damage to the adjacent home to only minor exterior issues. One resident at the scene was treated on-site by Clay County EMS for smoke inhalation.

The causes of both fires remain under investigation by the Clay County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Clay County Fire & Rescue extended thanks to the North Carolina Forest Service for assistance at both incidents, as well as mutual aid partners Peachtree Fire & Rescue, Murphy Fire Department, and Martins Creek Fire Department for their support at the Brasstown fire.

No civilian injuries were reported in the first incident, and both fires were contained without major extension beyond the primary structures.