A fire, fueled by dry conditions and aided by high winds, swept through a section of the Bethelview Downs subdivision early this afternoon. Four homes in the subdivision, located on Bennett Parkway off of Bethelview Road, appear to have been destroyed and four other homes suffered damage.

The Forsyth County Fire Department had six engine companies, two truck companies and multiple personnel on the scene. In addition, units from the Fulton County Fire Department assisted. According to Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman, the damage, though extensive, was minimized through the aggressive firefighting techniques of the men on the scene.

Chief Bowman pointed out at least two structures where the efforts of the firefighters helped to contain the fire and limit damage to buckled vinyl siding. When asked about the water supply to fight the fire, Chief Bowman replied that there was an ample supply of water and pressure was not an issue. At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Story and photos by Charlie Laughinghouse