Structure fire closes SR 81 Sunday afternoon

TDOT said a structure fire closed parts of State Route 81 near the Unicoi and Washington County lines Sunday afternoon according to TDOT. A social media post from the Unicoi County Emergency Medical Services said i that multiple departments from around Unicoi County along with departments from Carter County and Washington County responded. Unicoi County EMA Director Jimmy Erwin said that the structure fire “destroyed everything a family owned.” Both the northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 81 were shut down as fire crews battled the blaze.