Officials have identified the six people, including three children, killed in a tragic house fire in Coweta County on Monday.
Coweta County Corner Richard Hawk on Thursday afternoon identified the boys as Colton Bonner, 6, Jared Bonner, 12, and Jonathon Bonner, 13. Hawk confirmed that Katie Bonner, 36, Ernest Horton, 74, and Fannie Horton, 74, were also killed. Five others were injured.
Firefighters were dispatched to the house, located just north of Newnan around 4:45 a.m. It was already engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, and about 30 minutes later, all victims had been taken out.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Details about what caused the fire remain limited, but fire investigators said Thursday that they do not suspect foul play.
“Upon initial examination, the fire appears to have started in the garage area of the structure,” the fire marshal’s office said.
Aerial photos from NewsChopper2 showed a charred roof that was nearly caved in. Some of the cars parked in the driveway were surrounded by fallen brick walls of the home and appeared to be scorched.
Survivors, some with serious injuries, were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, and one firefighter sustained minor injuries, authorities said at the time. An update on their condition was not provided Thursday.
In the hours and days since the fire, family and community members have worked tirelessly to gather clothing, toiletries, diapers and baby formula for the survivors.
Family member Sydney Williams created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for funeral costs, medical bills and any additional costs the family will face as they “pick up the pieces and get started building their life again,” Williams wrote.
The campaign has raised just under $60,000 of its $100,000 goal as of Thursday morning.
“This community has come together tremendously,” neighbor Melissa Griffin said, who stopped by the home Monday afternoon to help with donation efforts.
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