The northwest Atlanta home where a woman was killed and her husband seriously injured by a fire had no gas or electricity, according to investigators. The couple was using a propane-fueled heating element too close to the couch, firefighters said.
Daisy Thomas, 68, died in the Friday fire, which started around 2 p.m. at the home, located in the 1000 block of Hightower Road. Thomas was unable to get out of the home, but her husband was able to run out. A witness saw the man running out of the house with his clothes on fire.
“I ran over and tried to put out the fire,” John Smith told Channel 2 Action News. “His skin was peeling off.”.
Lafaye Morris said she drives by the house several times a week and often saw the couple outside, grilling on the porch. After seeing the fire, Morris said she regrets never stopping at the house to ask if the couple needed anything.
Thomas’ husband, whose name was released, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
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