A 79-year-old Habersham County woman was killed and a firefighter was injured when a home caught fire Friday night in Cornelia, authorities said.

Firefighters were dispatched to a fire in the Lakeview Heights neighborhood just before 7 p.m., said Chad Black, director of Habersham County Emergency Services.

When they arrived, firefighters were told a disabled woman was still inside. They attempted to rescue her, but the home’s ceiling collapsed, burning a Demorest firefighter on his back and wrist, Black said.

The woman, identified as Jean Sensoe, was discovered dead inside the home.

Black said he believes the fire started in the kitchen, but its cause remains under investigation. The injured firefighter was treated at a hospital and released Friday evening, he said.

In other news: 

Channel 2's Justin Wilfon reports.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A crash caused major backups on I-20 East just before I-285 in Fulton County on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

The DeKalb school district is suing to recover money spent on cellphone lockers, plus money spent on implementing social media guidelines and hosting associated events, lost teaching time and to hire extra school counselors. (The New York Times file)

Credit: NYT