2 dead in Bowdon house fire despite daring rescue attempt by firefighters

Bowdon house fire claims 2 lives

Two people have died following a residential fire at a Bowdon mobile home on Saturday despite a life-saving rescue attempt by Carroll County firefighters.

BOWDON, Ga. - Two people have died following a mobile home fire Saturday morning in Bowdon despite a daring window rescue by Carroll County firefighters.

What we know:

Melinda Clark, 66, and Johnny Turner, 63, died of injuries sustained in the fire, according to the Carroll County Coroner's Office.

Firefighters were dispatched Saturday at 10:56 a.m. to a single-wide mobile home at 100 Memorial Drive. 

According to Carroll County Fire Rescue, crews found heavy smoke and fire consuming nearly half of the residence. 

After confirming two people were trapped inside, firefighters worked to pull Clark and Turner through a bedroom window within minutes. 

First responders performed life-saving measures, including CPR, and were able to obtain a pulse on both individuals before they were transported to a hospital. 

No other injuries were reported. 

What they're saying:

For neighbors in the tight-knit community, the sight of the blaze was a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.

"I noticed the smoke first, and then as I started to look closer, I started seeing flames," said neighbor Jessie White. "That could have been anybody. It could have been. It could have been me. It could have been my neighbors. Could have been my family, my son. It could have been anybody."

White described the neighborhood as a place where people look out for one another, often attending the same churches.

"It's a real… It's an it's an eye-opener. It really is," White said. Referring to the victims' family, she added, "They're in our thoughts and prayers and anything that we could do. You know, all they have to do is ask."

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Carroll County Fire Marshal’s Office.