VALDOSTA – On Thursday, June 27, 2019, the Valdosta Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire at Azalea Towers located at 2910 Tara Dr.

The call came in at 1:15 AM. The first fire units arrived within six minutes. Once on scene, firefighters found smoke and flames coming out of a third-floor window.

The fire, which was located in room 313, was quickly extinguished by crews on scene. Approximately 60 residents were evacuated with the assistance of Lowndes EMA, Lowndes County Fire Rescue, South Georgia Medical Center EMS and Valdosta Police Department. The displaced residents were provided with temporary shelter at Morningside Baptist Church. One resident was transported to the hospital by SGMC EMS for evaluation. 

Officials are still investigating the exact cause but preliminary indications are that the fire was the result of smoking.

There were a total of 27 fire personnel on the scene.