Fire Destroys Home in Canon Thursday
Fire Chief Larry Thornton said the fire started in a chimney
A Canon couple is staying in temporary accommodations after their home caught fire Thursday morning.
According to Five Area Fire Chief Barry Thornton, the fire started around 10a at 4533 New Franklin Church Road.
Thornton said firefighters were on the scene within three to four minutes of receiving the call and when he arrived he said the second floor of the house was already in flames.
“The fire alarm went off upstairs and they were downstairs. When they saw smoke coming down the stairs they exited the house,” he said. “It started up in the loft area of the second floor. When my Assistant Chiefs got here first he made sure they were all out. The flames were already shooting out of the roof around the chimney flue then. The ground floor and basement have water damage. We believe it started from the chimney flue.”
Thornton said when he arrived he quickly called for backup and firefighters from the Lavonia, Line, Canon, Royston, Franklin Springs, and Gumlog fire stations responded.
New Franklin Church Road was blocked for a couple of hours so water hoses could be laid across the road. 
No one inside the house was injured and no firefighters were injured. Thornton said because there were working smoke alarms in the house, everyone got out quickly and safely.
The house is the home of the parents of former NFL Football player Gary L. Walker who was a defensive end for eleven seasons in the NFL and played for the Houston Oilers, the Tennessee Oilers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Houston Texans.
Heating equipment is a leading cause of residential fires in the United States according to data from the National Fire Prevention Association.
Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner King says before the cold weather sets in, it’s a good idea to have your fireplace or wood stove chimney and chimney connectors inspected and cleaned at the start of the heating season.
King said creosote can build up and start a fire in the chimney.
He also advises using a screen or glass in front of your fire to avoid sparks flying out onto carpet or furniture.