Woman found dead in basement after Georgia house fire

Authorities have confirmed the death of a woman whose body was found during a house fire in Habersham County.

Officials tell FOX 5 that the fire happened around 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19 on the 1,600 block of Heads Ferry Road in Cornelia.

By the time fire crews arrived at the scene, the 22-year-old home was already enveloped in flames. Eyewitnesses told crews that fire had started on the main level of the home.

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 “We are thankful for the bravery and hard work shown by Habersham County officials in this case,” said Commissioner John King. “Because the home was on a hillside, the Habersham County Fire Department had to hand pull their lines to extinguish the fire.”

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found the body of a 64-year-old woman in fire debris in the basement of the home. Investigators believe she was in a second-floor bedroom when the fire started.

The victim's name has not been released at this time.

Officials say she was the 66th person who has died in a Georgia fire this year.

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