Historic home destroyed by fire; severe storm downs trees

Several trees were downed and damage reported after a storm moved through eastern portions of Laurens County Saturday evening. 

Emergency personnel responded to the Brewton area after residents reported a possible tornado. At least one home was damaged in what turned out to be a severe thunderstorm. 

“There were some high straight-line winds, but it was not a tornado,” said Laurens County EMS Director Bill Laird, who said he verified reports with the National Weather Service.  

One structure was destroyed in a fire along U.S. 80 near the former Beall’s Christmas Tree Farm. Laurens County firefighters were dispatched around 7 p.m. Saturday to the historic Cliff Powell house, a vacant home on the property. 

“Upon arriving they found a fully involved structure,” said Laurens County Fire Chief Josh McCard.

The chief said officials remained on the scene until around 9 p.m. containing the fire, which completely claimed the house and a nearby detached kitchen. No injuries or other damage was reported. 

McCard said the cause of the fire was under investigation, though the weather could not be immediately ruled out. 

“Firefighters reported major weather in the area,” he said.  

One Laurens resident reported as many as nine trees down in her yard.