Toccoa Residential Fire Takes Life; Fire Officials Stress Winter Safety

A residential fire earlier this week resulted in a fatality, and local fire officials are urging citizens to implement safety precautions.

Assistant Toccoa Fire Chief Frankie Dietz told WNEG News that a resident working in their yard around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon noticed smoke coming from a neighbor’s home on Mulkey Rd. and called 911 reporting that someone was probably still inside the home. Arriving firefighters found heavy smoke coming from all areas of the home and fire had already broken through a living room window. Two handlines were deployed and extinguishment began, but search efforts were severely hampered by excess storage that was stacked in boxes throughout the home. After lengthy search efforts, a deceased victim was located in the living room near the area where the fire appeared to have started. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, but no foul play is suspected.

Dietz stressed the importance of implementing fire safety procedures and practices in your home, saying “just as we teach elementary school children every year during fire prevention month, all residents need to develop an escape plan for their home. Two means of escape need to be readily available from all sleeping areas, whether it is two doors or a door and a window. All means of egress need to be kept clear and accessible for occupants in case of fire or a medical emergency. Working smoke detectors in all sleeping areas keep occupants safe and closed doors work to slow the spread of smoke and fire. Combustible items need to be kept clear of all sources of home heating. Areas in your home that are filled with excess storage items may slow your escape and will add to the intensity of a fire.”

American Red Cross Fire Safety Tips:

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

Top Tips for Fire Safety

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

Visit the website for more safety tips and ideas. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqsG5sQKms7tnY7hr9pivnil7FdzlsGZ-ng7yT5gv7HHwzgW6Ts