COHUTTA, Ga. (WTVC) – A house fire claimed the lives of five people in Cohutta, Georgia, early Wednesday morning.
Francisco Javier Sandoval was the family’s neighbor.
“Actually, my granddaughter is friends with one of the kids. They go to school together,” Sandoval described.
Sandoval said his grandchild is now grieving. He said he had no idea what was going on until he saw fire trucks beginning to arrive.
“I was like, ’You know, hopefully nobody’s hurt,’ but ended up that they passed away,” Sandoval added.
Whitfield County Fire Chief Paul Patterson talked about the reality of his crew witnessing the tragic house fire that claimed three male children and two female adults.
“I think it’s the reality that I think all of the PTSD that I’m sure I have,” Patterson said.
First responders were at the scene within minutes, the fire chief said.
“One of the victims was on the phone with dispatch calling this in,” Patterson said.
Tony Pritchett, the Deputy State Fire Commissioner, said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
“Regardless of how many times you see a situation like this, it’s always tough,” Pritchett remarked.
Patterson had a reminder to residents after the tragic fire.
“Smoke detectors, smoke detectors, smoke detectors,” Patterson said. “It’s times like this, and I’m not 100% sure if they had any. From what I’m understanding, they did not have any in there, or at least any that were functioning. Smoke detectors can save lives.”
Sandoval also had advice.
“Having a route of escaping because if I’m mistaken, they started right there around the door,” Sandoval said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral expenses.
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