A man and his stepson have died as a result of a fire at a Cobb County home, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Authorities got a call about the blaze on Landmark Court just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Cobb fire spokeswoman Denell Boyd told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Flames (were) showing on arrival,” she said.
Channel 2 identified the victims as Jack Untz, 86, a retired warehouse manager, and Steven Haidal, 54, an auto mechanic.
The father was dead on the scene and the son was taken to a local hospital “in full arrest,” Boyd said. He died at the hospital, Channel 2 reported.
Family members told the news station that Haidal lived at the home in order to take care of Untz.
Animal control was called for a dog. While Boyd did not know the status of the dog, Channel 2 reported the pet died, too.
A neighbor told Channel 2 he called 911 after his father heard a loud noise across the street. His dad ran to the house but could not open the door, the man said.
Officials do not know how the fire started. The cause is under investigation, Boyd said.
Brandace Colbert, a resident in the area, brought flowers to the scene Wednesday morning.
“My husband was murdered,” she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So I know what it’s like to lose someone.”
Colbert said it means a lot when people show their empathy in situations like this.
“I don’t even know them,” she said. “I just wanted to show my respect.”
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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