Authorities are searching for a Middle Georgia mother who has not been seen since her son and a woman died in a house fire Thursday morning.
More than half of the structure on Old Zebulon Road in Monroe County was engulfed when authorities arrived about 3:30 a.m. Once the fire was contained, sheriff’s deputies said two bodies were found inside.
One of the victims was identified as 21-year-old Gerald Walton, while the female victim’s identity has not been confirmed and released.
Walton’s mother, Tasha Vandiver, owned the home and was not found inside or near the house, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
“Tasha has been entered as missing and we are unsure at this time if she is in any danger,” the release said.
Authorities found her vehicle but would “not comment at this time where the vehicle was located.” The U.S. Marshals Service is assisting in the search.
Monroe County Emergency Services is working with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and state arson investigators to learn the cause of the fire. The GBI will perform autopsies on the two victims.
“We will not comment on the information that we have received just yet. We will update as more information is available,” the release concluded.
Another deadly house fire is under investigation in Athens. A woman, described by police as elderly, was found dead during a search after a Sunday morning fire at a home on Georgia Drive.
Athens-Clarke County fire crews were called to the blaze about 11:30 a.m. and arrived three minutes later. They were told at least one person might be trapped inside, government spokesman Jeff Montgomery said.
“The initial crew quickly deployed hose lines and entered the structure to search for victims,” he said in a news release. “The fire was brought under control quickly and the search completed. “
The name of the woman was not released. No other victims were found during the search, Montgomery said.
“While no foul play is suspected, the cause of the fire is still under investigation,” he said.
The GBI was expected to perform an autopsy.
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