News

Wheelchair-bound woman killed in DeKalb house fire

By Lauren Foreman and John Spink
Jan 30, 2018

A wheelchair-bound woman died and her son was injured in an early morning house fire in DeKalb County, according to an official.

The victim was identified as Onoloda Williams, 74, according to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s office.

A woman who is friends with Williams told Channel 2 Action News about a desperate call she got from Williams’ son, who lived in the home.

“Come and help me,” she said he told her. “Help me!”

Firefighters were called to the 1300 block of Hidden Hills Parkway about 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to DeKalb fire Capt. Eric Jackson.

“Once firefighters arrived, we did encounter heavy smoke and flame conditions coming from the corner of the home,” he said.

Officials are investigating after a woman was killed in a house fire Tuesday in DeKalb County, authorities said. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Officials are investigating after a woman was killed in a house fire Tuesday in DeKalb County, authorities said. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Another person escaped the fire without injuries, Jackson said.

Authorities are working to determine who that person is.

Williams’ son was taken to a hospital, treated and released, Jackson said.

The blaze was so intense by the time firefighters reached a hallway, they had to exit the home and work the fire from outside, according to Jackson.

They eventually found Williams dead in a bedroom.

“The fire’s under investigation obviously for cause and origin,” Jackson said. “And right now we don’t really have a whole lot of information at this point.”

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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About the Authors

Lauren Foreman

John Spink is a multi-platform photojournalist with the breaking news team. He provides compelling photos, video and audio from breaking news events for the AJC and media partners WSB Channel 2 Action News & WSB Radio

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