A series of fires in Floyd County endangered a large part of the area as police searched for a suspected arsonist Tuesday.
Dozens of homes along U.S. 27 were evacuated as the blazes began about 3 p.m., the Rome News-Tribune reported.
The four brush fires stretched from Old Cedartown Highway to Cave Spring Road along Highway 27, Channel 2 Action News reported. Two homes and a man's garage that housed his car collection were damaged in the fires, which were 90 percent contained as of 7 p.m.
By 8:30 p.m., crews were still working to put out hot spots.
A firefighter was taken to the hospital while battling the blazes, according to the News-Tribune. His condition was not released.
Floyd County and Rome fire officials were working to contain the fire. Polk County officials were assisting with traffic control. The Georgia Forestry Commission was also assisting.
An official with the Georgia Forestry Commission told Channel 2 that crews are working on a containment line. She said no other buildings were damaged and no injuries have been reported.
Police are searching for the alleged arsonist, described as a man with a "ruddy complexion, long hair and a beard in his 40s driving a white or faded red small pickup truck."
Only one lane along U.S. 27 was open Tuesday afternoon, and Booger Hollow Road was shut down. Drivers were urged to avoid the area.
Twenty-three students in the Pepperell district were re-routed to Pepperell High School, where parents picked up their children, Floyd County Schools said.
The fires came during one of Georgia's worst drought seasons, with the Floyd County area categorized as "exceptional drought." Channel 2 meteorologist Glenn Burns said winds were calm and shouldn't affect the fires.
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