July 19, 2018
Crews responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Sustella Avenue around 5:15 a.m. Saturday.
The first unit found heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the home. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters began to search the residence and located three people.
Reggie McCloud and David Washington Jr. died at the scene. A third man was transported to South Georgia Medical Center before being life-flighted to a burn hospital in Augusta. The victim's condition is unknown at this time.
Those living nearby said it's a close knit neighborhood where everyone knows everyone. Neighbors said no one has been able to recover from the tragedy.
"Since then my office and I look over there and see how sad it looks, it's just hard to fathom. I tell you it's just so sad, the whole street is in mourning to be honest with you," said Hoke Hampton who lives and works across the street.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failure or malfunctions cause nearly 34,000 house fires per year, resulting in 440 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage.
Warning signs of faulty wiring or electrical systems include flickering or dimming lights, switches or outlets that are hot to the touch or emit an acrid odor, discolored cords, outlets and switch plates and repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers.
By: Emma Wheeler | WCTV Eyewitness News
July 15, 2018
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- Lowndes County officials have confirmed two of the victims of a Saturday morning house fire.
Reggie McCloud and David Washington Jr. died after a fire broke out in a home northwest of downtown Valdosta. It happened around 5:15 Saturday morning at a home on Sustella Avenue.
McCloud and Washington died on the scene. A third man was brought to South Georgia Medical Center before being life-flighted to a burn hospital in Augusta.
Neighbors said it only took a matter of minutes for the home to go up in flames. Bob Kruger lives across the street and said he saw flames coming from the home and called 911.
Kruger said he heard two popping noises before seeing the fire.
"I look out the window and see nothing but flames down one corner of the house. I grabbed my phone and called 911," Kruger said. "By the time the fire department got here it was across the other side. It went up like paper."
Neighbors said the streets was flooded with emergency personnel from the Valdosta Fire Department and Valdosta Police Department. Officials have not yet released the cause of the fire, but said it is still under investigation.
No new information has been released on the condition of the man brought to the hospital.
By: WCTV Eyewitness News
July 14, 2018
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- Two people are dead and another is in serious condition after a structure fire in Valdosta early Saturday morning.
The Valdosta Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sustella Avenue around 5:15 a.m. The first unit arrived within five minutes and reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the residence.
Fire personnel started spraying the house to extinguish the fire. Later, additional units arrived and started to search the home.
VFD and the Valdosta Police Department are currently investigating a probable cause to the fire.
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Fatal fire cause determined
By Amanda M. Usher amanda.usher@gaflnews.com
Jul 19, 2018
VALDOSTA, GA — Electrical problems are the cause of a fatal fire that killed two people late last week, according to a Valdosta Fire Department report released Thursday.
The early morning July 14 fire at the 523 Sustella Ave. residence killed two people and critically injured one person. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature.
Reggie McCloud, 42, and David Washington, 57, both died of smoke inhalation, Lowndes County Coroner Austin Fiveash said earlier this week.
The third person was life-flighted to Augusta Burn Center. Authorities had no additional information on this person.
Valdosta Fire Marshal James Clinkscales said the fire occurred at about 5:14 a.m. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in about five minutes, he said.
It had been about two or three years since a fatal fire occurred in Valdosta, Clinkscales said.
City officials said Thursday understanding the most common causes, warning signs and appropriate safety measures relating to electrical fires can help prevent them.
"To prevent an electrical fire, learn to recognize the warning signs that indicate a possible wiring or electrical problem. We stress that you contact a licensed electrician immediately to examine and repair electrical problems," according to city officials.
Incorrectly installed wiring, overloaded circuits and extension cords, defective or improper plugs, switches and outlets and misuse and poor maintenance of lighting are among the most common causes of electrical fires, officials said.
Indications of a coming electrical fire consist of flickering or dimming lights, switches or outlets that are hot to touch, discolored cords, outlets and switch plates, repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers.
"Working smoke alarms help save lives by warning occupants of smoke in the home. The Valdosta Fire Department has a free smoke alarm program that is available to residents within the city limits," according to city officials.
Contact the VFD at (229) 333-1835, or at valdostacity.com/fire, for more information.
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Valdosta fire victims identified
By Terry Richards & Amanda Usher The Valdosta Daily Times
Jul 15, 2018
VALDOSTA, GA — The coroner has identified the two men who died in a fire Saturday.
Reggie McCloud, 42, and David Washington Jr., 57, both of Valdosta, died of smoke inhalation, Lowndes County Coroner Austin Fiveash said Sunday. Their families have been notified, he said.
The blaze at 523 Sustella Ave. also left one person injured, according to Valdosta Fire Department officials.
Fire officials have pinpointed where the fire started, but the cause of the fire is unknown, Valdosta Fire Marshal James Clinkscales said.
The injured person was in critical condition Saturday and taken to South Georgia Medical Center, Clinkscales said. Fire Chief Freddie Broome confirmed the person was life-flighted to an unknown location.
The Valdosta Fire Department was alerted to the fire at 5:14 a.m. and discovered flames and smoke coming out of the front of the building after arriving. Clinkscales said it took firefighters about five minutes to extinguish the fire.
It has been about two or three years since a fatal fire has occurred in Valdosta, Clinkscales said.