A woman died Tuesday in a Newton County house fire that investigators believe was caused by an electrical cord.
Willie Peal Foster, 88, died in the blaze at 936 Cook Road in Oxford, making her the 95th fire fatality in Georgia this year, said Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.
Foster was home alone at the time of the fire, which was reported at 10:43 a.m. The fire began in the family room and an extension cord appeared to have malfunctioned, Hudgens said.
Newton County Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien said he asked Hudgens for assistance in investigating the cause of the fire, which was ruled accidental.
“Anytime Newton County has a fire related fatality our investigators request the assistance of the state Fire Marshal’s Office,” O’Brien said. ” Their investigator along with our staff work together to determine a cause.”
O’Brien said he was uncertain how the cord malfunctioned but the fire cause was ruled electrical in nature and the cord appeared to be culprit.
“Most likely the insurance companies independent investigator will also conduct an investigation,” he said. “Based on the findings of the investigation team they have ruled out other possible causes of origin.”
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