Deadly Paulding County house fire under investigation

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - A house fire in Paulding County claimed the life of a 62-year-old woman on Memorial Day. What sparked the fire is now under investigation. 

Paulding County firefighters were called out shortly after 10:30 a.m. to a home along Legend Drive after a man called 911 to report his wife was trapped in the bedroom during the blaze. 

"Two engines reported black smoke coming from the rear of the residence," said Lt. Steve Mapes, Paulding County Fire and Rescue.

The woman, who was confined to bed due to a disability, was not able to escape the home. 

"He did confirm his wife was inside, she was trapped and there was a lot of black smoke coming from her bedroom," said Lt. Mapes. "And that his wife, who was disabled, was trapped in a second-story bedroom."

Firefighters worked quickly to locate the woman through the heat and the smoke in the home. 

"They were able to locate an unconscious 62-year-old female in a rear bedroom," said Lt. Mapes.

After reaching her, they were able to get her to the front yard, where medics worked to try to revive her. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. 

"It’s tragic any time somebody loses their life," said Lt. Mapes. "It really is sad to have something like this happen."

The cause and manner of the fire are under investigation. The Paulding County Fire and Rescue, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and the State of Georgia’s Fire Marshal’s Office are collaborating in the investigation. 

The name of the woman has not been released.