Extension cords could be to blame for a mobile home fire that killed a 49-year-old woman Saturday morning in Middle Georgia, authorities said.
Crews responded to the fire off P.L Braswell Way in Sandersville shortly after 5:15 a.m. When they arrived, the 30-year-old trailer was completely engulfed in flames.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and discovered the body of Elizabeth Reynolds near a bedroom window, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King said Tuesday in a news release.
The fire was ruled accidental, but no smoke detectors were found inside her home, investigators said.
“Multiple extension cords were used to supply power to the end of the home where the fire started,” King said. “Those extension cords could not be eliminated as having caused the fire.”
Reynolds’ death was the 39th time this year someone has been killed in a Georgia fire, authorities said.
Two more people were found dead Tuesday afternoon following a fatal fire in southeast Georgia, including a minor. That blaze began just after 4 p.m. off Bradley Road in Appling County, authorities said.
When volunteer firefighters made their way inside the home, they discovered the bodies of a woman and a juvenile. As of Wednesday, the victims had not been identified. Investigators believe the fire began in the master bedroom, but foul play is not suspected.
King said his office is also investigating several other blazes that occurred in the past week, including two North Georgia house fires that have been ruled arson.
In one case, Fannin County fire crews responded to a burning home on Galloway Road in Blue Ridge about 5 a.m. last Tuesday, authorities said.
Credit: Office Of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Credit: Office Of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Authorities determined the blaze was intentionally set at the back of the home, which was unoccupied.
“Thankfully, no one was living in the residence at the time,” King said.
Investigators are also looking into an arson that destroyed a mobile home in Dawsonville on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the burning trailer in the 200 block of Hampton Drive about 3 p.m. When they arrived, the 960-square-foot mobile home was completely destroyed, King said. Investigators determined the blaze had been set inside the living room.
Both arson cases are still being investigated, and rewards of up to $10,000 have been offered for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the people involved.
Those wishing to provide information about either case are asked to call 1-800-282-5804. Calls are taken 24 hours a day and tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.
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