Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Authorities investigating house fire that killed Spalding County woman

A fatal fire occurred at this house on Kennedy Drive in Griffin on Wed., April 13, 2016. (Credit: Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office)
A fatal fire occurred at this house on Kennedy Drive in Griffin on Wed., April 13, 2016. (Credit: Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office)
By Steve Burns
April 14, 2016

State investigators are looking into a house fire in Spalding County that killed a woman and injured her husband Wednesday night.

The fire occurred about 11 p.m. at a home in the 1500 block of Kennedy Drive in Griffin, said Glenn Allen, the spokesman for the Georgia insurance commissioner’s office.

Terrie Polk, 37, was killed in the fire, which started in the house’s master bedroom. Her husband, Jonathan Polk, 35, escaped with injuries after attempting to put out the fire, Allen said.

State fire investigators are working with the Spalding sheriff’s office and fire department to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

Polk is the 48th person to die from a fire in Georgia in 2016, Allen said.

About the Author

Steve Burns
More Stories

Keep Reading

Linda Tran works with staff to prepare large platters for each table during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Norcross. Linda and her sister Von Tran, who jointly operate the First Senior Center, are refugees with a harrowing survival story of leaving Vietnam as children. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Vietnamese refugee sisters survive harrowing journey, now pay it forward

The Tran sisters, Von and Linda, make Thanksgiving special for Vietnamese seniors at First Senior Center of Georgia in Norcross, hosting both American and Vietnamese feasts.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.

Stabbings at Buckhead high-rise, Vivide nightclub turn deadly

Separate stabbings that left two men dead sent Atlanta police flying across the city in the early morning hours Wednesday.

The Latest

Sonny Bharadia, who spent more than two decades behind bars for a 2001 crime he did not commit, is suing the small town of Thunderbolt and the two law enforcement officers who handled his case. (Courtesy of Georgia Innocence Project)

Credit: Georgia Innocence Project

Man locked up for 23 years despite evidence proving his innocence, lawsuit says

Vietnamese refugee sisters survive harrowing journey, now pay it forward

Stabbings at Buckhead high-rise, Vivide nightclub turn deadly

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff

Atlanta antique appraiser made $20M selling fakes, lawsuit says

An Atlanta art and antique appraiser is being sued by a Florida multimillionaire, who says he spent about $20 million on thousands of fake works.

How an ex-Texan and a university helped change the face of a Georgia city

Mercer University President Bill Underwood is stepping down after two decades at the helm. He's credited with boosting enrollment, resurrecting football and reshaping Macon.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.