An elderly southwest Georgia woman was killed Thursday in an early morning house fire, authorities said.

The fire, at a home on Fox Lane in the Webster County town of Richland, was reported about 1:15 a.m., according to Glenn Allen, a spokesman for state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.

Sammie Blakely, 81, died in the blaze, which destroyed the home, Allen said.

He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Webster County is south of Columbus and about 150 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Blakely’s death is the 83rd fire fatality in Georgia this year, according to Allen.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com