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Newton firefighters on way to call among injured after fire engine strikes car
Newton County fire truck

COVINGTON, Ga. — Two firefighters were among those in two vehicles taken to area hospitals tonight with undisclosed injuries after a fire truck traveling to a call struck a private vehicle.

At least one firefighter was being treated for a head injury after being struck in the head during the 6 p.m. incident, said County Manager Lloyd Kerr.

Witnesses said the wreck occurred on Georgia Hwy. 36 at East End Road. 

Deputies responding to the scene closed the road in both directions for several hours, according to information from Georgia Department of Transportation.

Kerr said Fire Chief Mike Conner told him the firefighters were aboard the engine and traveling to a fire call when a car pulled out in front of their vehicle.

The fire engine "T-boned" the car and pushed it "several hundred yards" before both vehicles left the road and the fire engine tipped over, Kerr said.

Two firefighters were inside the cab and "were bounced around" before a self-contained breathing apparatus came loose and struck one of them in the head, Kerr said.

The engine is stationed at Fire Station 1 on Covington Bypass Road, Kerr said.

He disclosed the incident at the start of a 7 p.m. Board of Commissioners meeting.

Kerr said no fatalities were reported but he had no other information on the incident, including the condition of the other victims. The Newton County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident and more information may be available in the morning, he said.

Sheriff’s Office seeks help identifying suspected arsonist
arson suspect ncso
The suspect is believed to be a young Black male who is pictured wearing a pastel t-shirt, dark pants and white shoes. - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office

NEWTON COUNTY — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NSCO) is seeking the community’s help in identifying and gaining information regarding an arson suspect. 

According to the NCSO, on Friday, March 7 at around 2:30 p.m., the pictured individual is believed to have deliberately started a fire at the Silos Clubhouse.

The NCSO is requesting that residents of the Ellington Community check their cameras during the Friday afternoon time frame. Videos can be emailed to alberto@newtonsheriffga.org.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, including recognizing the suspected arsonist, call Investigator Alberto at 678-625-1429.

There is no information currently available about the fire itself or any damage it may have caused. The Covington News has reached out to the NCSO and Newton County Fire Services for more information regarding the incident.