Clayton Business Fire Ruled Accidental

By Taylor Jones, WRBN Radio, Clayton

Investigators said that Monday’s fire at a Clayton business was accidental.

Clayton City Marshal Scott Crane said that the fire at Mama G’s Italian Restaurant on U.S. Highway 441 was electrical in nature and started in the walls in the bar area.

This announcement comes after an investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Clayton Fire Department, along with an independent fire investigator from the restaurant’s insurance company.

Moving forward, Crane said that the findings will be turned over to the insurance company for the business and that it is now a matter between the family and the insurance company.

The fire at the well-known Rabun County restaurant took place Monday morning.

Rabun County Fire Chief Daniel Johnson said that the first reports came in at 7:52 a.m. Monday.

Multiple units responded to the blaze, but the fire destroyed the building.

A fund has been set up at Rabun County Bank for the employees who lost their jobs during the fire.