Four people are dead after a fire ripped through a DeKalb County home late Wednesday, officials said.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue responded just before midnight to a residence in the 1800 block of Winthrop Road. The road backs up to I-20 and is just south of Glenwood Avenue.
When crews first arrived the fire was already “well-involved,” and an occupant of the home who met firefighters outside said more people were still inside, according to a statement from the agency.
During a search of the home, firefighters found one victim with serious injuries who was taken to a hospital, where the person later died, officials said.
Three other people inside the home were pronounced dead at the scene. It’s possible they were asleep when the blaze broke out, fire spokesperson Capt. Jaeson Daniels said.
The victims were identified by the medical examiner’s office as Joseph Thomas, 43; Willie Smith, 70; Maryann Chambers, 73; and John Chambers, 70. Officials believe they were related, but how exactly they were connected was not provided, Daniels said.
Officials were still at the scene investigating midday Thursday. So far, they have determined the blaze began in the basement and foul play is not suspected at this point, Daniels said.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
— This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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