Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a Friday afternoon fire that destroyed a home on Dill Lane.

Tim Satterfield, deputy chief of Dawson County Emergency Services, said the house off Ga. 400 North was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

Satterfield said no one was injured in the blaze, which may have started in or near a heating unit.

“The resident said he had a space heater and wood-burning stove going when he left and went up the street to pick the kids up at the bus,” Satterfield said. “When he got back, the house was on fire.”

Satterfield said the home was a complete loss and it is not clear if the residents had renter’s insurance. “Most renters don’t,” he said. 

According to Dawson County Tax records, the house is owned by Pete Chambers Jr. and valued at $117,921.

An adjacent shop on the property was not damaged by the fire, said Robbie Hughey, assistant chief of emergency services. Dawson County emergency personnel stayed on the scene for several hours in windy and wet conditions.

The American Red Cross was able to relocate the displaced family to Lumpkin County, Satterfield said.

Satterfield said Moonshine Festival activities over the weekend have delayed the department’s fire investigation.