ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Three multistory houses in the historic district on the south end of St. Simons Island were heavily damaged by fire Monday

It took nearly six hours for Glynn County firefighters from four stations, along with several off-duty firefighters, to get the fire in the three homes near 9th and Oglethorpe completely extinguished.

No injuries were reported.

Preliminary information indicates the fire was noticed shortly after some workmen left one of the homes. Wind spread the fire from one structure to the others.

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Firefighters From Four Glynn Stations Battled Blaze

"It could have been catastrophic," Glynn County Fire Chief Carl Johnson said. "Very seldom do we have three structures this large engulfed in flame, and there was pretty heavy flame here."

Two of the homes were about 75 years old. The third was a new duplex valued at more than $2 million.

Tom Carmichael's 87-year-old dad fought the fire with a garden hose until Glynn County firefighters arrived. While their home will probably be a total loss, he says he's still thankful.

"This is just a house. It's the people that are important," Carmichael said.