A woman was killed early Saturday after a fire swept through an Athens apartment complex, officials said.
The body of the 48-year-old victim was discovered inside a unit at a complex off Westchester Drive, Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement.
Crews received reports of the fire shortly after 4:30 a.m. and arrived at the scene within minutes, officials said. Flames consumed the apartment and thick smoke shot through the roof.
Investigators determined the fire started in the apartment’s kitchen, according to State Fire Marshal John F. King. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze before it spread to other apartments. The fire ultimately caused extensive damage to three other units, officials said.
Crews found the woman’s body as they searched the apartment where the fire started. She had fallen from a second-floor bedroom into the dining room below after the fire caused the floor to collapse, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Neighbors in adjacent apartments were evacuated and escaped unharmed, fire officials said.
The victim’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. She has not been identified.
The incident was one of three fatal fires to occur over the weekend in Georgia and is one of 86 deadly blazes recorded in 2020, the state fire marshal said.
On Sunday, 58-year-old John David Yates was found dead after a fire at his Hart County home, officials said. Crews were sent to a location on Mashal Dove Road in Hartwell about 6 p.m., King said.
“Upon arriving to the 40-year-old, 900-square-foot mobile home, local firefighters found the home in flames and Mr. Yates’ body inside the residence,” King said.
The fire remains under investigation, but authorities believe it could have been caused by “poorly positioned” space heaters.
“Unfortunately, our office sees an increase in fires due to space heaters as we head into colder weather. It is crucial for Georgians to follow safety tips such as keeping their space heater away from combustible materials,” King said.
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