Elderly man killed, woman injured in late-night Paulding County house fire

Elderly man killed, woman injured in house fire

A man in a wheelchair died and a woman was seriously injured after a house fire late Tuesday night in Paulding County, officials said.

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - A man in a wheelchair died and a woman was seriously injured after a house fire late Tuesday night in Paulding County, officials said.

What we know:

Firefighters were called to the home in the 100 block of Flagler Way around 9:20 p.m. and found heavy flames shooting into the air. When they arrived, a woman on the porch told them a man was still trapped inside. Crews went in and rescued him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deadly house fire in Paulding County

A man died after a house fire Tuesday night in Paulding County. Firefighters rescued a woman who was taken to a hospital burn unit. The Georgia Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.

The victim, believed to be in his 70s, lived at the Seaboard Station home with his wife. She was taken to Wellstar Cobb Hospital with burns and smoke inhalation injuries and remains in the burn unit.

Fire crews remained on the scene until about 2 a.m. No firefighters were injured.

What they're saying:

Neighbors said the couple had lived there for years and were well liked in the quiet Dallas neighborhood. "They were peaceful people up in age," neighbor Yaasharwan Bogan said.

Another neighbor, Angela Scott, recalled hearing screams as flames engulfed the house. "She tried to get the guy out," Scott said. "By the time help came, it was too much. She wasn’t able to help him."

Flames and thick smoke pour from a home on Flagler Way in Dallas as firefighters battle a deadly blaze that killed a man in his 70s and injured a woman on Nov. 11, 2025. (Paulding County Fire/Rescue)

Investigators have not determined the official cause of the fire. However, neighbors told FOX 5 they believed it may have started when the couple tried to light logs in their fireplace and the flue wasn’t open. They said one of the logs caught fire on the back porch when it was moved outside.

Andre Williams, who lives nearby, said the tragedy left the neighborhood shaken. "It’s just sad to see it happen," he said. "Knowing we couldn’t do anything about it kind of makes you appreciate life. Don’t take it for granted."

Man who uses wheelchair killed in house fire

A man is dead and a woman is hospitalized after a Paulding County home caught fire Tuesday night, officials said.

Fire Chief Garrett Brubaker praised first responders for their efforts despite the dangerous conditions. "Our hearts go out to the family affected by this tragic incident," he said. "Our firefighters acted swiftly and courageously, but the conditions made rescue efforts extremely challenging. We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved."

What we don't know:

Unanswered questions include what officially caused the fire, the identity of the man who died, and whether the blaze started in the home’s fireplace as neighbors believe. Investigators have not confirmed the exact source of ignition or whether any smoke detectors were working at the time.

What's next:

The Georgia Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.