A camper trailer serving as home to a man and his dogs was destroyed by fire near Dearing last Tuesday.
Black smoke could be seen for miles by motorists along the Augusta Highway. By the time the first crew of firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were shooting out windows and the roof was collapsing, a fire official said.
"It was fully involved by the time we arrived," according to McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Services Chief Bruce Tanner. "We just tried to keep the flames from spreading to nearby houses and wooden areas."
Chief Tanner said firefighters also had to retrieve several LP gas tanks from the fire scene. The tanks were taken to a safe area.
The modified camper was owned by Jerry Eubanks, who lived at 4155 Reeves Road, which runs off Adams Chapel Road, according to Chief Tanner. Mr. Eubanks was not home at the time of the 12:46 p.m. blaze.
Chief Tanner said Mr. Eubanks indicated that he earlier had plugged in an air conditioner and let his dogs out before leaving the dwelling. When he returned, he found his residence on fire.
As of last Thursday, the cause of the fire still was listed as undetermined.
