Atlanta investigators have determined a predawn house fire that killed three people started near the carport and then quickly spread through the attic of the house in the 3500 block of Revere Drive.
They still haven’t confirmed the cause.
While the investigation continues into the fire that killed Jaqueline Diane Brooks, 54, and her parents, James Evans, 80 and Nina Evans, 76, early Tuesday, other members of the department spent Wednesday conducting a “post incident” canvass of the neighborhood, handing out smoke detectors and giving fire safety tips.
Atlanta fire Deputy Chief Randall has said while the cause of the fire remains under investigation “we are leaning to (lightning) being the cause. Several neighbors have described to me a loud sound which appears to have been a lightning strike.”
The home had a alarm system, but fire investigators don’t known if the smoke detectors were operable. Neighbors said the doors may have required a key to open.
The fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday in a split-level home in a neighborhood that sits between I-285 and Fairburn Road.
Slaughter said firefighters responding to the 2:15 a.m. call found “heavy fire conditions.”
Two of the victims were found downstairs while the third was upstairs in the bedroom area.
Next-door neighbor Elaine Ogletree said she heard “a loud boom, twice, real loud” and moments later a neighbor called to tell her “‘You need to get out of there because Nina’s house is burning down.’ I came out and fire was everywhere. “It burned up so quick. It was impossible for them to get out.”
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