December 26th, 2023 – 11:20 AM
Paulding County Fire and Rescue –
Paulding County Fire and Rescue released more information regarding an investigation into a fatal fire that took place earlier in December of this year.
“At 3:52 PM on Tuesday, December 12th, Paulding County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 154 Heritage Way in Dallas, Georgia.
The 911 call was placed by a teenage son who had just arrived home from school to find his house full of smoke, and he heard crackling coming from the kitchen.
Believing his mother was at home; he attempted to make entry but was pushed out by heavy smoke and heat. Approximately 2 minutes later, several Paulding County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene and entered the structure – donning emergency respirator masks.
The Deputies located and knocked down a fire in the kitchen with portable extinguishers, but they could not advance upstairs, where the victim was trapped.
Within 2 minutes, Paulding County Fire & Rescue units arrived and initiated rapid interior search operations. PCFD crews encountered heavy smoke and heat conditions but quickly located a 46-year-old female unconscious in a second-story bedroom.
The victim, who was in cardiac arrest, was rescued to the front yard, where crews immediately performed CPR and rendered other lifesaving interventions.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead a short time later at Wellstar Paulding Hospital.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 4:03 PM.
According to Fire Chief Joey Pelfrey, “We are very sad for the loss of life that occurred at this house fire. Something of this nature is tragic any time of year, especially during the Christmas season. Despite heroic efforts by Paulding Firefighters and our partners from the Sheriff’s Office, the fire resulted in the death of one of our citizens, and our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband and son. Despite the terrible outcome, I’m proud of the professional public safety personnel here in Paulding County who regularly risk their lives to save others.”
Although the investigation remains open, the preliminary cause has been identified as electrical-in-nature, originating in the kitchen.”