The Spalding County Fire Department, along with Spalding Regional EMS and Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, responded to reports of smoke coming out of a residence early this morning. The call was received at 8:25 a.m., Spalding Fire units were dispatched at 8:26 a.m. and arrived on scene at 8:33 a.m. Units arrived on scene to find a fully involved structure fire that ripped through the home. The Spalding County Fire Department made an interior attack on the structure to suppress the fire. When they entered the home, they found a heavily involved fire with fire debris from the structure, which hampered the fire suppression team. During the attack, a Spalding County Firefighter – Lieutenant was injured from falling debris, striking him in the head. He was checked out by EMS on scene and later transported for further assessment.

After the fire was under control, the search team began searching the structure for a reported fire victim inside. Around 11:07 a.m., a body was found inside the structure, which was reported by the caller to be a child. The Spalding County Coroner was on scene at the time the body was discovered. At this time, we are not releasing the name of the victim due to the fact we are still notifying the family.

Weather conditions may have enabled the fire to spread though out the home quickly, according to Fire Chief Kenny West. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Spalding County Fire Marshal and the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Spalding County Fire Department (770) 228-2129