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.
A GoFundMe campaign created to help cover funeral and family expenses had already raised more than $70,000 by Friday morning. The creator, Jasmine Ivey, wrote online that several others lived at the home, including children. They were able to escape the flames, but Ivey added they lost everything.
“We are asking for help to ensure our loved ones are honored with the dignity and care they deserve,” Ivey wrote. “At the same time, my cousin and her children are starting over with nothing.”
Officials were still at the scene investigating Thursday. They had determined the blaze began in the basement and foul play was not suspected at that point, Daniels said.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
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