Saturday, January 24, 2015

ELDERLY KATHLEEN, GEORGIA WOMAN DIES IN HOUSE FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE KITCHEN DUE TO UNATTENDED COOKING



ELDERLY KATHLEEN, GEORGIA WOMAN DIES IN HOUSE FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE KITCHEN DUE TO UNATTENDED COOKING

January 23, 2015

WARNER ROBINS, GEORGIA -- A house fire in Kathleen early Friday claimed the life of an 86-year-old woman.

Opal Alford likely died of smoke inhalation, said Houston County Deputy Coroner Lee Dixon. Houston County Medical Examiner Dr. James Whitaker is expected to inspect the body Monday to determine the official cause and manner of death.

Alford was unresponsive when a neighbor found her after seeing the flames and breaking into the home to reach her, Dixon said.

The fire investigation showed that the blaze started in the kitchen, Dixon said. The 911 call of the fire came in at 7:23 a.m.

“Investigators with my office have determined that the cause of the fire was the result of unattended cooking,” state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said in a news release.

Alford lived alone, and neighbors and friends routinely checked on her, Dixon said.
The fire destroyed the home, the release stated.

Houston County fire asked for the state’s assistance in the investigation. The sheriff’s office also joined in, which is standard operating procedure in a fire fatality.

Houston fire Chief Jimmy Williams said more than a dozen firefighters from three stations responded to the blaze. The neighbor had already removed Alford from the fire when firefighters arrived, Williams said. The entire roof from one end to the other was on fire, he said.

Alford was pronounced dead on the scene, Dixon said.

So far this year, fire has claimed the lives of 10 people in Georgia, according to the release. This is the first fatal fire in Houston County this year, Williams said.