PICKENS—Two local residents are safe after a 3 a.m. blaze destroyed a barn-structure in Pickens early Thursday morning.

Pickens firefighters were called to a residence on Walhalla Highway Thursday, but most of the damage had already been done by the time they arrived.

“Ultimately, it was a total loss,” Pickens firefighter Chris Elrod said. “There were two people actually living there, but the smoke woke them up and they were able to get out and there weren’t any injuries.”

After responding to the call, Pickens firemen realized they needed to call for backup.

“We called for help from Six Mile Fire Department, Holly Springs Fire Department and Keowee Springs Fire Department for man power and tankers,” Elrod said. “The hydrant was not close enough to be able to lay a line so we had to shuttle water.”

Elrod said a cause hasn’t been determined.

“We haven’t determined the exact cause of the fire,” Elrod said. “We don’t think it is suspicious or anything like that.”

Elrod said the structure that burned was similar to a barn, but part of it had been changed to a living quarters. The building was nearly 8,000 square feet, according to Elrod.