Two women and three boys were killed in a tragic house fire that ravaged a Cohutta, Georgia home early Wednesday.
Whitfield County Fire Chief Paul Patterson said one of the victims called authorities and first responders were at the scene within minutes but couldn’t reach the residents in time.
“I think it’s the reality that I think all of the PTSD that I’m sure I have,” he added.
Deputy State Fire Commissioner Tony Pritchett said the cause of the blaze remains unknown.
“Regardless of how many times you a situation like this, it’s always tough,” he said.
Patterson told residents that the tragedy is a reminder of the importance of having smoke detectors in homes.
“Smoke detectors, smoke detectors, smoke detectors. 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.”
