A fire that killed one person in a DeKalb County townhome Monday near Lithonia appears to have been accidental, a fire spokesman said.
A preliminary investigation into the blaze in the 5800 block of Trent Walk Way revealed “no sign or indication that this may have been an intentionally set fire,” DeKalb fire Capt. Eric Jackson said.
About 4:30 a.m., flames started spreading toward the back of the first floor, where the bulk of the damage happened in unit 5878 of Wellington Manor, he said.
“As we were making entry into the home, we did discover one individual on the first floor who we quickly rushed out of that apartment and to a local hospital,” Jackson said. “Unfortunately, that person did not survive.”
Details about the victim were not released. However, Jackson said there were no injuries to any firefighters or other residents, and only smoke damage to attached units.
He said residents should be able to get back into their homes.
Icis Morrison, a neighborhood resident since 2008, said she knew the victim well. He was a friendly and helpful member of the neighborhood watch and a “very sweet young man,” she said.
“I could always call him if I have a problem in the house, and he would be there,” Morrison said. “When my car won’t start, he’d come.”
She said she hadn’t seen him since he told her he was going out of town for work, but she later noticed his truck back at the townhome.
About the Author
